UPC Affiliated?
 

What is the difference between "holding" a UPC license and "being affiliated" with the UPC? Or is there a difference?

In other words, can a pastor hold a UPC license yet NOT be affiliated with the UPC? If so, why might someone do that? And what would the drawbacks/advantages of being affiliated?

Anyone? Thanks!

Re: UPC Affiliated?
 

I assume you're talking about church affiliation. A pastor can hold a license with the UPC without affiliating the church he pastors.

The advantages are that the pastor and local assembly retain more control over church business, including who pastors the church.

I'm not sure what the advantages are (to be afilliated). In my personal observation, it's a bad thing. I've seen the district leadership stick their nose into affairs they shouldn't have.

I think that the local pastor, elders and congregants should be the ones overseeing the local church. I'm not anti-organization, but I don't believe they should have any power, other than very general oversight--as in checking on the church to make sure everything's going smoothly--and then leaving everything the same as when they arrived.

I can see advantages to a pastor belonging to a fellowship of ministers, presumably for reasons of accountability. But I think the local church should be accountable to the pastor and elders--not to a group of essential strangers who may or may not have their best interests at heart.

Re: UPC Affiliated?
 

Very articulate(particularly from a woman).:couch

Re: UPC Affiliated?
 

Thank you! On that good note, I think I'll leave for the day. :D

Re: UPC Affiliated?
 

Steve I thought you were smarter than that. Now you are in trouble with every woman on AFF. If I were you I'd dig a hole crawl in and pull the dirt in after me.:foottap

Re: UPC Affiliated?
 

I'm no expert, but Bro Norris was in favor of a church being affiliated in regard to property.


Eons ago a church building in a smaller MN town ending up becoming property of AOG since the church was not affiliated. Not sure of the details but it would seem the members must have had contact or been leaning that way. I don't think the AOG just grabbed it and ran. :ursofunny

Re: UPC Affiliated?
 

My father is licensed with the UPCI. Before he retired, the church he pastored was affiliated with the UPCI and it caused a division when he retired. The district got involved with the selection of the new pastor ... and as with most districts, politics got involved. Let's just say it was a mess and half the church split.

There may be legal reasons for making a church affiliated - representation from the UPCI for the church in any legal proceedings. Other than that, there's no reason for a church to be affiliated with the UPCI. We saw first-hand the mess it creates.

Re: UPC Affiliated?
 

there are some definite advanages that "affiliation" brings...I believe most of these only impact smaller churches....they mostly have to do with property trust, assets, etc... . I think most larger(over 100 members) churches should have enough trust worthy people that affiliation wouldn't be needed.

but affiliation is a two-edged sword.

Re: UPC Affiliated?
 

Affiliation is a benefit to the org far more than it is to the local church in the vast majority of situations. :D

Re: UPC Affiliated?
 

Our church voted about two years ago now, to become a non-affiliated church. Our pastor still holds a UPCI license for now.

But we are looking for a PCI license ;-)