Why I'm Changing Names

from "Remembrance of Former Days" to "One Thing Necessary"

When I started “Remembrance of Former Days” several years ago, I intended it to be primarily about church history. The name came from a 1778 sermon on Hebrews 10:32 by Caleb Evans in which the Particular Baptist pastor said, “Every Christian ought to be a good historian, and if his knowledge of history be improved by him as it ought, the better historian he is, the better Christian will he be.”

However, as I went along, I discovered that my pastoral duties often called me to set aside my campaign to promote historical thinking. Unintentionally, the site became a place for me to express pastoral concerns arising out of my ministry in the local church—particularly concerns that are relevant to the broader church.

A few months ago, Jake Stone and I launched “Elephant in the Room,” which provides the outlet for me to write on historical topics that interest the church. Initially, I kept the “Remembrance of Former Days” name for this one just because I didn’t have a better alternative.

However, this past Sunday I preached on Luke 10:38-42, where Jesus gently rebukes Martha for neglecting the “one thing necessary.” Martha was “distracted with much serving” while her sister Mary “sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.” Jesus instructs Martha that Mary is the one who had chosen “the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Sitting at Jesus’s feet to absorb his word is the one thing necessary in this life—the source from which everything else derives.

This passage has always challenged me. I resonate with Martha. I often get so caught up in the service of discipleship that I neglect the “one thing necessary.” It’s interesting to me that this passage thematically parallels Acts 6:1-7 where the office of deacon originates. It would be a mistake to conclude that Jesus condemns serving. Serving is vital. However, serving to the neglect of Christ’s word is a mistake.

We live in an age of distraction. We cannot afford to neglect the one thing necessary. And that’s why my site has a new name.