I Won’t Remember Jimmy Carter as a President
December 30, 2024
The recent passing of Jimmy Carter has prompted me to reflect on his remarkable legacy, and I realize that I have never thought of him primarily as a president—and there are three key reasons for that.
First, I wasn’t alive during his time in office. While I’ve seen a few speeches and clips from his presidency, I don’t have a personal sense of his effectiveness or impact as a leader. Whether he was a good president or not is something historians continue to debate. That said, I can’t help but assume there may have been some bias against a president from Georgia, given the dynamics of the era.
Second, Jimmy Carter’s deep commitment to his Christian faith sets him apart in my mind. While I don’t agree with all his theological views or think his explanations of faith were always flawless, his dedication to living out his beliefs was undeniable. His faith inspired a lifetime of humanitarian work, leading many to regard him as the greatest former president. Carter’s decision to continue teaching Sunday school for decades exemplified his humble, service-oriented approach to life.
Third, and most profoundly, his memoir An Hour Before Daylight: Memories of a Rural Boyhood (#ad) had a transformative impact on my ministry and my understanding of the people I serve. In it, Carter reflects on his upbringing in Plains, Georgia, capturing what life was like in the rural South during the early 1900s. Growing up just a few dozen miles from Plains, I found his stories incredibly moving and insightful.
Carter’s vivid storytelling gave me a deeper appreciation for the struggles my grandparents and many of my older church members endured. His descriptions of life before air conditioning, the internet, and modern conveniences offered a window into a world that shaped their resilience and character.
One story, in particular, stands out—a gruesome account of Carter getting a splinter, told in such vivid detail that it alone is worth reading the book. If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend picking up a copy or borrowing it from your local library.
Jimmy Carter’s life and legacy extend far beyond his presidency. His commitment to faith, service, and storytelling has left an indelible mark on history and on those who take the time to engage with his work. For me, Carter’s reflections on his rural upbringing and his dedication to humanity have been a source of inspiration, helping me connect more deeply with the stories of my own community.If you’ve ever wondered what shaped one of the most compassionate leaders of our time, An Hour Before Daylight is a great place to start. It’s more than a memoir—it’s a lens into the past and a testament to the enduring power of humility and service.
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More From David
Podcast Episode: Why Be South Georgia Global Methodist?
July 17, 2024
For David Donnan Podcast Season 3 Episode 2 we talk with Rev. Allen Cason about why he is a part of the South Georgia Conference Global Methodist Church.
Listen on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Facebook, and Youtube.
Allen’s Podcast Website: https://podechesis.com/
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Podcast: https://daviddonnan.com/podcast/
It is a new day in Methodism. The rapidly expanding Global Methodist Church (GMC) is blazing a trail for what the future of Orthodox Wesleyan-Methodism could and should be. Along the way, we can correct problems large and small.
One thing I implore all pastors and worship teams to consider is to celebrate an entire season of Pentecost instead of one Sunday. Most churches follow some sort of calendar to celebrate high holy days like Christmas and Easter. Some even celebrate the Christian seasons of Advent before Christmas and Lent leading into Easter. For each of these seasons there are colors traditionally associated with these seasons.
- Purple or Blue for Advent
- White or Gold for Christmastide
- Purple for Lent
- White or Gold for Easter
- Red for Pentecost
- Green for Ordinary Time
There once was a time where the church calendar celebrated an entire season of Pentecost. Now, the majority of churches I know of put out the color red on Pentecost Sunday then the majority of summer time they move to ordinary time which is green and last from Trinity Sunday until the start of Advent.
Pentecost is the day the Holy Spirit came to the church in what looked like tongues of fire (Acts 2:1-4). This is why the liturgical color is red. Pentecost is an important season for many reasons. Most important, the Day of Pentecost marked the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Christian church. The disciples who were hiding behind locked doors become bold in proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The church exploded with gifts of prophecy, teaching, healing, deep discipleship, encouragement, and hope. These are the types of movements we desire in the GMC.
The 1964 The Methodist Hymnal I think had it right. They had a season of Pentecost where the color was red and it lasted from eleven to sixteen Sundays.
Out of all the challenges facing the GMC the liturgical colors might not even crack the top one thousand. Still, let’s keep the red out and remind ourselves about the Holy Spirit, the birth of the church, and this important aspect of the life God is calling us to.
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David Donnan 