There have also been cases of religious leaders intimidating people and thus intentionally making it difficult for them to go through the process of Matthew 18. Where they meet to discuss the matter that the offended party wishes to talk about, and the religious leader immediately makes the meeting a hostile one by shouting, throwing accusations, and otherwise biting back in exceedingly cruel ways.
In circumstances like that, outside authorities definitely needed to be called in to handle the matter, because leadership is held to a higher standard.
While 1 Timothy 5:17 says, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching,” and 1 Timothy 5:19 says, “Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses,” we must also know that 1 Timothy 5:20 says, “Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.” If a religious leader abuses their position, cause harm to others, and this has been confirmed by the mouths of two or three witnesses, then this must NOT be kept a secret.
