Baptist Assembly - you know, the English one, the BUGB/BMS one - the one that uses that title with a sense of exlcusivity.  I'd never really thought about it until this year when the cycling visual 'notices' on screen ahead of main sessions included adverts (not sure what else to call them) for 'Baptist Assembly in Scotland' and 'Baptist Assembly in Wales.'  I don't quite know how these Assemblies function and whether or not anyone can attend as a non-delegate (which they can in England).  I am trying to work out whether these adverts (or whatever they were) are a good thing (a sign of closer interconnectedness) or a bit patronising (this is The Baptist Assembly but there are these others too...).  I hope it is the former - but if it is, then why no official representatives (to my knowledge) from BUS and BUW?  And how about renaming it Baptist Assembly in England?!

I actually like the concept of 'Baptist Assembly in X.'  Theologically it feels more connexional and less independent.  It doesn't remove autonomy - BUGB still functions as BUGB in the way that Dibley BC does wrt the Union.  But it says in some way, this thing is bigger than us, that in some way Baptist Assembly has a translocal element to it.

Maybe this aligning of names and a sense of corporate style owes much to BMS who are independent of and connect with all three unions, I don't know.  Whatever the logic, I think that on balance it's probably a 'good thing.'