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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swp to Deactiv... 2012/07/03 14:07:46

But by then he has been indoctrinated with a set of beliefs based on what his parents believed. The choice was not his own and he will likely assume from that point on that other regions are false. If you are going to make a significant life choice like following a certain religion, it should be informed.

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Deactiv... to swp 2012/07/05 19:12:50

But it is informed

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swp to Deactiv... 2012/07/06 11:53:41

Really? His parents taught him about other religions as well so he could make a *real* choice?
It wasn't "informing" it was brainwashing.

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Deactiv... to swp 2012/07/06 16:27:29

-_-......WTF

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Rio to Deactiv... 2012/07/01 19:40:45

should children be allowed to play in traffic if they chose to do so "on their own"?

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Deactiv... to Rio 2012/07/03 11:48:10

No

I understand if ur not Christian and maybe that's y ur mad or feelin somethin about this

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Rio to Deactiv... 2012/07/04 12:40:22

i am a student of all religion-so i do not choose one, not mad - but yes i feel something :)

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Deactiv... to Rio 2012/07/05 19:13:04

Ok then

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TommyB 2012/06/25 03:54:01

Too Young

+4
Al Sharpton preached his first sermon at age four and ordained about the same age as this young boy. Personally, I think he's too young as was Sharpton.

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The San... to TommyB 2012/06/25 07:49:30

+1
And look at how Sharpton turned out. A hypocritical 'minister' who is addicted to the limelight.

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strawberry 2012/06/25 03:33:45

Too Young

+6
Young minds are brainwashed by religious beliefs. They have not matured to experience religious truth and falsehoods.

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VICTORIA to strawberry 2012/06/25 04:24:54

+3
amen

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juirsh 2012/06/25 03:30:58

Too Young

+4
people are actually taking this kid seriously!?

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тrisʜɑ to juirsh 2012/06/25 15:06:24

AMEN.

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starlight 2012/06/25 03:16:53

Too Awesome

well my dad started preaching when he was aroung that ag, but my dad has always been more mature than the other kids, my family is full of ministers, pastors, etc. and i want to be one too maybe in the youth department

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Jbug799 2012/06/25 03:10:07

Too Young

+6
Exploitation at its finest..Way to young..

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Bribri 2012/06/25 03:01:58

Too Young

+4
I don't think he really knows whats going on at that age.

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Dalvin 2012/06/25 02:34:46

Too Awesome

Youth is perfect for pastoring. Kids are less tainted by this foul world than adults. With all of the church scandals going around we may need to hear religion through the eyes of innocence.

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Hailey ... to Dalvin 2012/06/25 18:08:29

+2
But, that is also why it is very bad. If someone has only knowledge of the innocent world and is preaching, how can he know what is wrong and what is right?

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God ble... to Dalvin 2012/06/28 23:06:04

Jesus was quite a bit older than this child.

I think if i have to trust.. it would be on Jesus and not a babe of the world.

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Dalvin to God ble... 2012/06/28 23:21:35

He was older when he died, yes, but according to the bible Jesus started preaching at age 15, and i'm sure that the son of god had a lot to say at age 11 also. Also he said that the kingdom belongs to those that are like children. You don't have to put your trust in children but it doesn't hurt to listen to what they have to say every once in a while.

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jeepster4 2012/06/25 01:30:49

Too Young

+1
I predict a long, fulfilling career in the entertainment business. Kind of like Marjoe Cortner, only longer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

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Patriotic 2012/06/25 01:05:07

Too Young

+4
I don't think he truly knows what is going on. I think he is being exploited.

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holly g... to Patriotic 2012/06/25 02:17:33

+3
So do I.

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Jwrdy 2012/06/25 00:30:54

Too Awesome

First of many to come.

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Jon 2012/06/24 23:55:47

Too Young

+3
What does a child know about life in general? Zero!

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тrisʜɑ to Jon 2012/06/25 15:06:50

+1
I agree.

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Jacqui 2012/06/24 23:06:25

Too Young

+2
11 is to young for any job. Any one with half brain can see this kid is just doing this make his parents/family happy & get their approval. He may have enough thought "this way mom & dad will like me".

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Scott ヶBrony Of PHAETヶ 2012/06/24 22:20:04

Too Young

+4
Wow, i find this outrageously creepy and yet outrageously stupid. 'Merica, 'tiss a silly place...

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JAA 2012/06/24 22:07:35 (edited)

Too Young

+2
First, God doesn't speak to believers in "dreams & visions" anymore. Secondly, since he's from a charismatic group, it's likely he "preaches" (as opposed to teaching) emotionalism & memorized talking points. This is an example of what God meant by "thou shalt not take the Lord thy God's name in vain."

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Common ... to JAA 2012/06/25 05:13:13

Anymore?

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JAA to Common ... 2012/06/25 05:48:33

Yep.

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Common ... to JAA 2012/06/26 05:24:36

anymore what?

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JAA to Common ... 2012/06/27 03:12:38

"God doesn't speak to believers in "dreams & visions" anymore."

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Common ... to JAA 2012/06/27 03:21:44

Explain ANYMORE

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JAA to Common ... 2012/06/27 21:55:09 (edited)

Sorry, I didn't get your point at first. I mean "anymore" in that beginning in the Church Age (after the death & resurrection of Jesus Christ), God stopped communicating with humanity through the stars, dreams, visions, & theophanies. God communicates with us now through the Holy Bible, by means of the Holy Spirit & our right pastor-teacher.

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Common ... to JAA 2012/06/30 08:48:26

Can you prove this?

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JAA to Common ... 2012/07/01 06:29:39

Yes, read the Bible.

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Common ... to JAA 2012/07/01 14:38:51

That's proof?

Do me a favor, TRANSLATE what you think it says.

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JAA to Common ... 2012/07/03 18:24:52 (edited)

Now, that's an easy way for you to slide out of the hole you're in . . . having me translate the entire Bible on a social internet site, lol.

btw, where is it written that I owe you any favors? Your ignorance of the Bible is between you and God.

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