UPCI Question
 

What happens when you have to well established apostolic churches about half a mile apart from one another on the same busy street, one being UPC the other being Independent what if the Ind. one wants to become apart of the upc? Would HQ make them merge there congregations?

Nope but I think the neighboring pastor has to okay it unless the independent preacher has a influencial friend who is an official.

I would'nt think so.

Is this a real life scenerio ?

It sort of hits home. we have an apostolic church right next to us. you could almost throw a rock. i've always thought they wanted to be UPC their pastor attends UPC conferences but they have preached Hair coverings for so long they would never have the nerve to admit they was off on that issue

Depends on the ministers involved. Usually it's not a problem, as an understanding is reached between them.

It is my understanding, that this is handled on a district level. At one time, in LA UPC churches had to be at least 5 miles apart. A new church could not affliate without the agreement of the established pastor. I do not know if this in still in effect.

There is a certain mileage factor still in effect.

Last year a Spanish Apostolic church became affiliated with the UPC. It's less than 3 miles from another UPC church. The pastor of that UPC church was friends with this pastor and didn't offer any protest.

Another pastor of a UPC church, who doesn't own a building, found one for sale and wanted to buy it. It was just short of 5 miles from this same UPC pastor . . . yet this time the pastor threw a fit and wouldn't allow the church to buy the building, since it was short of 5 miles.

The church almost went independent over this, since they've been looking for a building for almost 2 years and that was the best deal yet.

It's all politics.

I would think it would be like having an established Burger King in an area, and someone approached Burger King about building another one 1/2 mile away!

I don't think the Burger King Corp. would approve without the concent of the established Burger King restaurant owner, as it could be very confusing and financially damaging to the existing store.

(Can you tell that I have food on my mind?)

It'd be more like having a McDonald's and a Burger King a half mile apart, and the McDonald's converting over into a Burger King too. :)

You would be correct! :D