Some might ask 'why bother?'
The reason behind the change is to indicate that the organisation has moved on from all the bad publicity from the phone hacking scandal and the many court cases which will be taking place involving the likes of Rebecca Brooks, the former Chief Executive of News International. Relentless bad publicity can't be helpful for an organisation that makes publicity. Hence the new name.
The new name should be evidence of a new character and a determination to leave the old ways behind.
This looks surprisingly like 'turning over a new leaf', and may even indicate a 'new birth'.
When Jesus called people to follow him, they left their old life behind, and made a fresh start. I think of the statement of Zacchaeus, the crooked and hated tax collector from Jericho. After meeting Jesus, we read 'Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” (Luke 19.8)
Zacchaeus may have changed in character and behaviour, but he kept his old name. But many people who chose to follow Jesus, and were baptised into that new faith, took a new 'Christian' name to indicate their new loyalty and character. That is why many people describe their personal (as opposed to family) names as 'Christian names'. Sadly, they usually have little association with a life-changing loyalty and commitment to Jesus.
St. Paul describes the change that happens to those who put their trust in Jesus - whether or not they have a new name. 'This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!' (2 Corinthians 5.17)
Today, whether or not we have a new 'Christian' name, let us live a new Jesus-focused life that seeks to bring glory to Him, and benefit to those around us.
Best wishes,
Richard
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