Eleven-Year-Old Boy Ordained as Minister: Too Young... or Too Awesome?

by SodaHead News Posted 2012/06/22 21:00:00

Related Topics: ezekiel stoddard, Weird News, Minister, young minister

1,133 votes
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	Too Young	803 votes	71%
	Too Awesome	330 votes	29%

When Ezekiel Stoddard was ordained as a minister at the Fullness of Time Church in Capitol Heights, Maryland, last month it was a unique celebration -- one that turned heads and raised questions. Why? Because Ezekiel is just 11 years old. According to "Good Morning America," the son of two pastors decided to become a minister at this very young age when God spoke to him in a dream.

The young minister said, "God gave me that particular scripture [Psalm 23] because a lot of people, they try to draw you away from the Lord, trying to get you on the wrong path." When asked if people thought it was strange, he said, "People come to you, they ask you questions about why you should act like a child and not a minister. I do things like a child, but still I am a minister. I am an evangelical." But do you think Stoddard is too young to take on the role of a minister?

+41

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Your Favorite Nerd Guru 2012/06/22 21:55:40

Too Awesome

+18
You're never too young to love God!
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Amanda Miller 2012/06/27 01:14:09

Too Young

+2
Way way way way way way way way way way way way way too young!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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owen 2012/06/27 01:11:22

Too Young

+2
Seeing these babies talk in tongues and going through voice changes is a frightening experience.I have seven children and three grandkids.I happen to know quite a bit about raising them and reckon that these children are in danger due to ignorant clergy and parents using those unfortunate kiddies like trained monkeys.

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Singerar 2012/06/26 22:56:15 (edited)

Too Young

+3
They are basically trained animals, memorizing what they've been taught. A young child cannot be profound or articulate on such a deep subject. I find it a form of child abuse to exploit a child like that.

Remember, Sam Kinnison was a child preacher. He called it a Circus. His parents would punish him if he didn't preach right. You'll hear it brought in his comedy at times. He was severely traumatise religiously by seeing the other side of exploitation and it brought his own demons....smart as he was.

YouTube - Breaking The Rules if you dare....he's raw and and a pissed off Genius.

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Jaiheena Star 2012/06/26 22:06:46

Too Awesome

This happens. During the 1970's a Boy around the same age was called. GOD/JAH MOVES IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS.

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valeria... to Jaiheen... 2012/07/12 04:03:21

Scaaarryyy!!!

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murphywasanoptimist 2012/06/26 22:01:47

Too Young

+1
If he wasn't pushed into by his parents/relatives (as I suspect), then good for him.

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Kwaku Tuffour 2012/06/26 20:15:47

Too Young

+2
I kind of feel sorry for him simply because hes being driven to make a decision like this so early. He's barely even been through the temptations of life and hes helping other people get through theirs. From personal experience I would say it might not end well, but at least hes enjoying now thats all that matters.

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Pele Emerging 2012/06/26 19:34:06

Too Young

Sounds a bit like he was pushed onto that path from the time he can remember. Maybe, it's a good thing for him, but it would be nice if he would truly been allowed to explore all options and indeed, allow himself to do kid stuff.

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Judge Peter Hill 2012/06/26 19:07:41

Too Young

+1
Not too young to love God but too young to be ordained! "too much too soon" is the principle here. Just as you don't put a brand new Second Lieutenant or Ensign in charge of an entire branch of the military (General or Admiral's job), 11 is too young to be ordained, but not too young to give a sermon!

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Nate Hubert 2012/06/26 17:56:12

Too Young

It is kind of awesome though!

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belle 2012/06/26 17:51:14

Too Young

He may love God, but to young to know what all life is about to help deliver the word of God to those in need.

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Guest 2012/06/26 17:42:16

Too Young

Perhaps it is different for people who practice religion, but personally I cannot imagine that an 11-year-old has enough life experience to lecture or lead me, no matter how precocious he might be. Good for him, but I would worry about any adults who would follow him seriously.

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SuperTrooper 2012/06/26 17:16:20

Too Awesome

+1
Awesome, but that is really young

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MichelleluvsRonWeasley 2012/06/26 16:27:35

Too Awesome

+1
Congrats to him for taking an interest in this, and perusing his dream. From what he's saying, he sounds very mature and able to take on the role.

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Merrick 2012/06/26 14:22:21

Too Young

+1
Hehehehehe...OUTLANDER!!!
In all seriousness, I admire his conviction, and I admire his maturity, but he is far to young, I'm sure he will have compassion and a willingness to help, but...I live just over the river from there, so I may go and hear him. He has no life experience, he has not been tested by his faith or for it. We'll see.

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Denny L... to Merrick 2012/06/27 15:02:18

dont underestimate someone that smaller than you. probably the younger one might outsmart adults at times

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George Zook 2012/06/26 13:39:04

Too Awesome

+1
God asks what he asks ...

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Alphalily 2012/06/26 10:37:57

Too Young

yes I am sure he loves God and is able to preach , and he should one day . Now he can evangelize friends , family , the sick , and those he meets each day. He needs more education, and maturity. he needs to experience some life. He needs to attend seminary. Jesus did not even start preaching til he was older than this and He and the Father are one.

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anna 2012/06/26 08:32:47

Too Young

+1
i need to hear him speak to see if conviction is real or just memorized from parents..mmh

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Nicklover 2012/06/26 07:45:25

Too Awesome

+1
Good for him. He believes enough in his religion to take on that role. I have some serious respect for him

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Dee 2012/06/26 07:01:00

Too Young

oO
Too messed up :S

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Sunset moon 2012/06/26 06:52:39

Too Awesome

+2
I meant "too young!!" >.<

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Jaiheen... to Sunset ... 2012/06/26 22:07:59

+1
I made a mistake with the thumbs up :)

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cc 2012/06/26 06:42:45

Too Awesome

+1
He's probably the antichrist.

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JEFF 2012/06/26 04:53:59

Too Young

NO AGE IS A GOOD AGE TO CON PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR MONEY. IT SHOULD BE OUTLAWED TO START AS A CHILD.

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Galina Tyler Spencer 2012/06/26 04:30:16

Too Young

Personally I dislike it when parents indoctrinate their children in their religious values at such an early age, as I've been there myself and feel like a part of my childhood was stolen from me because of it. Just let kids be kids for as long as they can and don't brainwash them to the point of being a child minister like this poor kid.

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whispering hands 2012/06/26 03:58:30

Too Young

+1
Might as well hire 11-year -old school teachers, 11-year-old doctors, 11-year-old everything else...but I figured it was only a matter of time before the holy rollers would actually go by the word of a child. Not surprised, tbqh.

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Kat 2012/06/26 02:55:51

Too Young

Way too young.

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JayP. 2012/06/26 02:46:53

Too Young

+1
Well he may be good at "preaching" and telling gospel stories. but doe he fully understand. I believe this child is not at a sufficient age to be a minister. Being a minister (at least from a Catholic perspective) is not to just to preach. It's also to help people in the parish with problems internally, Spiritually, externally. This Child just does not have enough experience, in Catholic tradition a priest must be in seminary for at least, I believe, 4-8 years. I'm sure this child has the potential to be a great minister but when he is at an age of reason and experienced understanding.

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writing... to JayP. 2012/06/26 03:43:30

He'd be a great youth pastor for young kids in Sunday School classes. Like, from kindergarten to like fourth/fifth grade. Because he's been there. Idk, just a thought.

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JayP. to writing... 2012/06/27 19:32:22

That's an interesting idea.

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DL SPLAWN to JayP. 2012/06/28 00:18:40

+3
If this child is a Christ follower then can share this simple gospel. It is the modern church that has gone astray. If Jesus were to appear in the modern world for the first time church I fear they would nail him to a cross. The modern church practices religion Jesus followers are not welcome.

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JayP. to DL SPLAWN 2012/07/05 06:28:51

Well, sure anyone can be a preacher (Adult or Child) for the good of evangelization. In fact many people in the "Modern Church" die in doing ministry, Clerical and Laity, but to make the boy a "Pastor" is something that doesn't make sense to me. I'm not saying anything about his sharing of the Gospel, I'm talking about him not being able to help people with adult problems. Problems that can only be solved through study and EXPERIENCE. That is why Adult pastors is the Norm and not Children pastors.

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Boss 2012/06/26 02:04:26

Too Young

+1
when I was about his age, I wanted so much to study to become a priest...I told my principal , who was writing at his desk when I told him, without hesitation or even raising his head , he answered...the catholic church has enough problems already...it was the end of my vocation..I also thought God has spoken to me...

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Holmes 2012/06/26 01:49:22

Too Awesome

+1
I think it's cool

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Jaiheen... to Holmes 2012/06/26 22:08:34

Jesus went about His fathers' work at a young age!

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owen to Jaiheen... 2012/06/27 01:16:43

No he didnt and this i s not Jesus were talking about

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Jaiheen... to owen 2012/07/02 20:59:45

did so.

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no no to Jaiheen... 2012/06/27 14:15:26

He allegedly assisted Joseph with his carpentry endeavors

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Matt to Jaiheen... 2012/06/27 14:18:23

but he didnt start his ministry until about 30...

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