Kristen

Craig, I am not saying so much that teachers have authority as teachers, as that they have been given authority (authorized) to teach— in other words, that they have a recognized calling and ministry, borne witness to by the saints and approved by Paul or other existing church leaders. I know that 1 Cor. 14:26 says that whenever the church comes together, “each of you” can have “a teaching,” but Eph. 4:11 says that “teacher” is one of the gifts that only “some” are given. I think there is a difference between “having a teaching” and being a “teacher,” and I think it is possible to usurp the place of a teacher by acting as if you have been authorized when you have not.
I do think “domineer” is another acceptable reading here– but really, the two are sort of synonymous in my mind. To seize something you are not authorized/recognized as having the congregation’s consent to have, is also to domineer, to throw your weight around, to force your own way.
But this is not the same thing as saying teachers have “authority” over the congregation. I hope that makes sense.