Quantcast

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

SodaHead News 2012/06/22 21:00:00
You!
Add Photos & Videos
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?

ezekiel stoddard
Add a comment above

Top Opinion

Sort By
  • Most Raves
  • Least Raves
  • Oldest
  • Newest
Opinions

  • Jaiheen... Matt 2012/07/02 21:00:49
    Jaiheena Star
    remeber when He was in the temple and his parents were looking for him. He sais he was going about his fathers work.
  • Truth Matters 2012/06/26 01:42:24
    Too Young
    Truth Matters
    +1
    This is a spectacle.
  • Doc 2012/06/26 00:39:15
    Too Awesome
    Doc
    +3
    It's funny how alot of folks that think that 11 is too young to be a minister but not too young to learn the proper way to perform oral sex
  • writing... Doc 2012/06/26 03:44:08
    writing_fanatic
    +1
    Right? I agree entirely.
  • Doc writing... 2012/06/26 22:13:53
    Doc
    I think he might be great to minister to children. :-)
  • owen Doc 2012/06/27 01:21:12
    owen
    +1
    Keep it in America for the love of God we dont need this madness here.I went to an American so called crusade in Melbourne some years back and it was a disgrace to God.It was all a stage act and money grab.
  • Doc owen 2012/06/27 14:10:09
    Doc
    Unless, of course, it happens to be legitimate.
  • owen Doc 2012/06/28 00:57:00
    owen
    +1
    TV evangelism is pathetic and its no wonder folks shun religion if thats all they have to go by.
  • Doc owen 2012/06/29 18:36:48
    Doc
    I can certainly agree with that statement, sir.
  • owen Doc 2012/06/30 00:35:33
    owen
    +1
    Godbless
  • JEFF Doc 2012/06/26 04:55:21
    JEFF
    BOTH ARE DISGUSTING.
  • Doc JEFF 2012/06/26 22:14:21
    Doc
    Ministers and oral sex?
  • no no Doc 2012/06/27 14:13:40
    no no
    +1
    Well, it might be ok in both cases for those who approve of such behavior. but as it appears that one can can just "be" a minister at 11, but must "learn" the proper way to perform oral sex. Perhaps "learning" how to be a minister would enhance an 11 year old boy's future ministerial ability also.
  • Doc no no 2012/06/29 18:38:17
    Doc
    From what I understand, the child has had some training and had to pass an exam.
  • no no Doc 2012/06/29 20:50:20
    no no
    +1
    Not sure if he's Mensa quality, however, his depth of understanding, and his socialization process is still that of a developing child. Good and noble intentions are great However, I'm reminded of what Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain) penned years ago. "When I was eighteen, my father was so ignorant that I would almost not bear to have him around. But by the time I turned twenty-one, I was amazed at how much the old man had learned in three years". I wish the young man well however, just hope he gets some advanced training and education as he experience his ministry
  • boots 2012/06/26 00:28:57
    Too Young
    boots
    +3
    To be brainwashed.
    Poor kid.
  • Derbyhat 2012/06/25 23:47:28
    Too Young
    Derbyhat
    +1
    Many people in their 50s have such a shallow life experience portfolio as to be ill prepared for something like the ministries. At 11 years of age, even two pastors doing all day waking hour indoctrination can't prepare one for half the issues and needs of his flock.

    Incest, drugs, alcohol, abuse, murder, sexual orientation, divorce are just the first layer of multi layered lives. Lets face it, he likely just laid his coloring books aside only half a life ago. Did he pay attention to details on those pages or just scribble to put color on paper to get it done. Sorry, you just can't rush the aging of wine or cheese without getting less than face value.

    Ministry is something one 'is called to" and few understand that call. I'm sure most of those TV pastors were "called", even Jim Baker and Joe Jones, yet we know where they went wrong and the harm they caused. Greed was a big factor. Perhaps greed in the form of a marketing advantage is behind this move. I don't doubt Ezekiel's sincerity, but I wouldn't be pushing for his PhD in Theology before he's twelve, because he has a whole lot of life ahead of him just to get through the turbulent teen years.

    Ezekiel, may God be with you and give you wisdom and strength of character.
  • Wutnagkillabeeontheswarm 2012/06/25 23:44:00
  • Fred 2012/06/25 23:42:00
    Too Awesome
    Fred
    +1
    If he was still feeding off his mothers breast and supporting Planned parenthood the libs would be OK with it
  • Junior-BN-0 2012/06/25 23:28:33
    Too Awesome
    Junior-BN-0
    +2
    This is great news!!! Keep on preaching, Ezekiel!!!!
  • Kozmo 2012/06/25 23:24:17
    Too Awesome
    Kozmo
    +1
    There are Folks wise beyond their years. I assume he passed the exams, let him be but maybe stay out of (adult) counseling for a while.
  • Mel 2012/06/25 23:09:07
    Too Young
    Mel
    +2
    You cannot drive a car, own a credit card, vote and he's not even out of elementary school. What fool would give an 11 y/o ordination?
  • Elz 2012/06/25 23:06:54
    Too Awesome
    Elz
    +2
    im not a religious person, but i dont think what he is doing is bad.
  • Lucy 2012/06/25 22:28:31
    Too Young
    Lucy
    +2
    I would wait until he went through his teenage years first.
  • JJ 2012/06/25 22:27:06
    Too Young
    JJ
    +2
    Jesus Christ was young when he went into the temple and spoke to the men there about the word of God, but Jesus knew what he had to say and do,even that young...but he also was mature in learning [ and is the son of God ]. This little boy may well love God, and that's good, but does he have wisdom toward truth and able to bring it to others?
    Jesus Christ said, we are to become as little children [ honest, loving, etc ] to make it into his kingdom, that too is true.
    Psalms 23 is a well known psalms.It is a psalm of David. This particular psalms is a comforting scripture for those that seek comfort and truth. It has nothing to do with drawing you away from God, but all to do with helping you to be closer to God in times of trouble. Are there people that will and are going to try and draw you away from God...oh, yes. They are now. That is why its so important to open that bible and get to know God.
  • Boss JJ 2012/06/26 02:00:06
    Boss
    +1
    that,s true,,,but this is not Jesus...
  • JJ Boss 2012/06/26 03:27:39 (edited)
    JJ
    That's true, he isn't Jesus and by such is just a little boy that loves God, but does not have the wisdom of God. The way to gain wisdom is to know God and to obey him and his 10 Commandments, then you will begin to gain wisdom. This little boy has a long way to go to get to know who and what God is all about. The truth is sometimes a long hard road to travel, but if you want it bad enough, you will find it. If this young boy wants to know it bad enough and teach others, in time he will find it.
    Been there, done it and still am.
  • owen Boss 2012/06/27 01:23:58
    owen
    Correct
  • owen JJ 2012/06/27 01:23:39
    owen
    How young?
  • JJ owen 2012/06/27 03:08:59
    JJ
    If you're asking what age Jesus Christ was when his parents found him in the temple, he was 12 years old [ Luke 2: 42 and 46 ]. And in verse 49, he explained to his mother that he was doing his Father's business. He already had knowledge of what God wanted and as he grew, he increased in wisdom [ verse 52 ].
  • Bill Joyce 2012/06/25 22:23:12
    Too Young
    Bill Joyce
    +2
    How can an eleven year boy who has NO life experience be allowed to become a minister? It's rediculous!
  • owen Bill Joyce 2012/06/27 01:25:14
    owen
    It shows how ignorant and worthless most of these fundamentalist outfits really are.
  • Muriel 2012/06/25 21:52:07
    Too Young
    Muriel
    +2
    Maybe he knows his Bible but preaching takes learning and living life's lessons before you get into the pulpet.
  • Deirdra 2012/06/25 21:34:24
    Too Awesome
    Deirdra
    +3
    If he understands what he is talking about and has the joy of god that he wants to spread to others that want it than let him do it.
  • boltfox20 2012/06/25 21:28:29
    Too Young
    boltfox20
    +6
    SodaHead! Third option! There are those, like myself, who would like to comment but don't think either option is appropriate. Remedy that!

    Yeah, I don't feel either is appropriate, so I chose the first one.

    The kid is way too young for the responsibility. However, this is a perfect example of how childish religion is. These people have been acting like children, believing fantasy stories and invisible friends, and now they are following a child, getting advice from him, paying him to lead them spiritually via collections.

    If there was ever a time for religious people to look at the church, how it has no idea what it's doing besides getting your money, now is the perfect time to look. This gimmick is just another in a long line of gimmicks designed to keep people entranced at the church, giving themselves willingly over to those who wish to remove their will.

    We are in a unique position, now, where a child is telling the childish stories. I can only hope that those who visit that church can appreciate the appropriateness of this situation.
  • lovelyg... boltfox20 2012/06/25 23:23:15
    lovelygoddess101
    +1
    I was trying to come up with a comment that summed up my thoughts, but I couldn't say it better than you just did. You pretty much took the words right out of my mouth.
  • Ann 2012/06/25 21:21:02
    Too Young
    Ann
    +2
    That is just crazy stupid!
  • J-DUB 2012/06/25 21:13:40
    Too Young
    J-DUB
    +3
    Just another example of how religion and it's followers are stupid people.
  • Michell... J-DUB 2012/06/26 16:31:36
    MichelleluvsRonWeasley
    That's insulting and a stereotype. How can you say that every person who follows a religion is stupid?
  • J-DUB Michell... 2012/06/27 00:38:45 (edited)
    J-DUB
    You follow a dogma that can't be proven, has no legitimate claims, uses its followers, aspires to gain power regardless that the tenants of that religion speak against it. They have guilt tripped their followers to give them money and power that they don't need, vote politically against their interests to appease their backwards ways.

    Just look at the history of this world and what religion has done to it. Countless wars, genocide, slavery, greed, oppression, repression, mysogeny, child molestation, political, social and mind control.

    This is not something intellegent people should follow. Only ignorant and easily controlled people would support such things along with the enterprises that commit them. That is why jesus called his followers sheep......they go quietly to the slaughterhouse.

See Votes by State

The map above displays the winning answer by region.

News & Politics

2013/05/19 21:21:36

Hot Questions on SodaHead
More Hot Questions

More Community More Originals