1 Corinthians 6:1

Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? (KJV)

Then: If Paul was incensed before, now he's outraged. How in the world did the Corinthians think that Christ would approve their appeal to secular authorities? He writes with a sense of dampened anger. Actually it's a good thing he's not in Corinth where everyone would get a tongue lashing. Some Jewish Christians knew the system of priests, not Romans, taking care of internal affairs (Baker, p. 87). In addition, cases before the Bema (Judgment seat) were biased towards the rich and influential (Collins, p. 226). Better results could be attained within the church "before the saints."

Now: Our communities are so large that few church contentions make national news. On the other hand, however, even if a dispute stays at a local or county justice level, information discussed, attitudes revealed or names dragged in can influence the openness of neighbors to the gospel message. Why bother to take part in church events or beliefs when civil problems look just like those of non-Christians? The reputation of the church is still important to its mission.

Extra source: Cornerstone Biblical Commentary 1 Corinthians (William Baker), 2 Corinthians (Ralph Martin & Carl Toney), ed. by Philip Comfort. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, c2006.
First Corinthians by Raymond F. Collins and Daniel J. Harrington (Collegeville MN: Liturgical Press, c1999) http://books.google.com/books?id=c4VXq9fKoRwC&dq=Sacra+Pagina+and+1st+Corinthians&printsec=frontcover&source=in&hl=en&ei=NqEJS7XzEITklAeejdiEBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=11&ved=0CDUQ6AEwCg#v=onepage&q=&f=false