Not recognizing Imam of your time.

Asalam Alaykum wa rahamat Allah wa barakatuh,

are you referring to this ayah {يَوْمَ نَدْعُواْ كُلَّ اُنَاسٍ بإِمَامِهِمْ فَمَنْ اُوتِيَ كِتَابَهُ بِيَمِينِهِ فَاُوْلَئِكَ يَقْرَءُونَ كِتَابَهُمْ وَلاَ يُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلاً} from surat Isra ayah 71. This ayah clearly indicates Imam as a leader but not only in the sense, you are referring to. For example, the disbelievers will be called by their leaders and so on.

Some interpretations of this ayah are that إِمَامِهِمْ are the prophets, their books, their deeds, and even their mothers. Their mothers meaning they would be called by their mother's names.

Allah knows best