Heading off with those workers holding a torch for church leaders (6)
I believe the answer is:
elders
'leaders' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for elders that I've seen before include "Older trees?" , "Sage" , "Senior trees?" , "Officers in some churches" , "Church officers and small trees" .)