.
Well; If I'm reading Matt 18:15-18 correctly, then I think we should assume
Jesus was speaking of ecclesiastical authority rather than any particular
powers granted to John Que and/or Jane Doe rank and file pew warmers.
For example, in Jesus' day there was in the land of Israel an elite core of
biblical experts called the Sanhedrin (a.k.a. the Council) who were a sort of
supreme court in matters relative to religious beliefs and practices so that
the set-up Jesus started with his top guns wasn't something new and/or
unusual, rather, to be expected.
* Membership in a Christian church is a solemn commitment. I suppose
there are folks who join one because it looks good on their social resumé,
and others simply because it's the thing to do; but beware because a
Christian church isn't what I would call a republic governed by democracy.
No, it's primarily a theocracy whose board is like God to its members, viz:
insubordination in a Christian church reaches all the way to top.
"Heed those who lead you, and submit to them; for they keep watch over
your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and
not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you." (Heb 13:17)
_