11 Year Old Minister
 

This isn't quite as forehead slapping as hearing the 4 year old blather away and hearing others call it "anointed preaching!" but perhaps it WOULD have been had I not heard about the 4 year old (or was he only 3) first.

Boy, 11, Leads Church As Ordained Minister

Just last month, Ezekiel Stoddard, 11, of Temple Hills, Md., was ordained as a minister in his family's independent Pentecostal church, where his parents are also pastors.

Stoddard said he was motivated to become a minister after God spoke to him in a dream and told him to read Psalm 23.

"God gave me that particular scripture because a lot of people, they try to draw you away from the lord, trying to get you on the wrong path," he said.

"People come to you, they ask you questions about why you should act like a child and not a minister," the young minister said. "I do things like a child, but still I am a minister. I am an evangelical."

Stoddard was ordained in a congregation-wide ceremony on May 6, with his parents leading the service.

http://news.yahoo.com/boy-11-leads-c...opstories.html

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

I believe God can use the very young to minister.

Weren't there several occassions in scripture where
children (some as young as 8 years old) became kings and
rulers?

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

I imagine you have a point there. After all she ruled a whole planet at the age of 14.

http://womenfashioncostumes.com/wp-c...667249f9-1.jpg

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

Not a good thing.
I have been around several child or young teen ministers.
I can only think of one that is living for God, today.
And he had to go a long way to come back to God.

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

These folks evidently have not read I Timothy 3:6. Among the many admonishments given for anyonen who desires to be in an office overseeing the flock of God, one of them is to NOT BE A NOVICE....

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

Bro, your tone is always so serious, but this post right here struck my funny bone. AFF is finally catching up to you...:happydance

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

Not sure why it would be funny... as it wasn't intended to be. It amazes me that the article says that the boy was ORDAINED, and they didn't even go down the list of qualifications enough to even see that he wasn't qualified for the office yet.... I'm quite serious about this. I'm tired of adults putting children up there, giving them a false sense of security about salvation, baptism, anointings, ministry, etc.

This is just as bad as putting 3 year olds in a baptistry in Jesus name, and telling them they're okay.... that's crazy... there's no way that child has been able to put their mind around repentance... and without repentance... that baptism is useless.

This young boy very well might be called, and have the hand of God on His life... but the Scriptures state a novice has no place over the flock of God...

BTW, a 60 year old could be a novice as well... if they are a new convert.... someone needs to have some growth and time in their experience with Christ before trying to lead... it's just Bible.

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

While I'm not a fan of kids being pushed into ministry, it IS possible for a child to be called from an early age. I also don't agree that it's necessarily damaging for a young child to emulate adult worship or ministry. It *can* be if it's done in the wrong spirit, but not always. I remember praying for my friend, Christina, when we were around the age of 4 or 5, and I think my Mom even has a picture of us play-praying. Little PK friends and I have definitely played church before and pretended to preach or even shout. I certainly don't remember getting into any trouble with my parents for it, and I can't remember for sure, but I imagine they were probably amused by it and encouraged it. Kids tend to emulate adult behavior and later develop an understanding of the meaning behind it, eventually finding that meaning for themselves.

In cases like "Little David", the damage is there because the whole process of interacting with God becomes a game and the child is used to the benefit of an adult or adults rather than being used by God for God. IMO, anyway. The damage isn't there because of their emulating adult behavior or even "playing" church, IMO. It's because eventually they see the ungodly motives in the adults and authorities in their lives and THAT is damaging.

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

Because he is a child, he is still under authority (of his parents) even though he is an ordained minister. God has no qualms about using children when they are of the right frame of mind, as illustrated with Josiah becoming king at age 8.

Also, the word "novice" in this instance doesn't have anything to do with age; it has to do with experience. Children who have been raised in church, especially in a pastor's home, have quite a bit of on-the-job training. As a PK, I can tell you that I knew and understood a lot about leadership at the age of 11, and not just the business side of things.

The word "novice" in I Timothy comes from the Greek word "neophutos" and means "newly planted; a new convert; neophyte (one who has recently become a Christian)."

P.S. I was baptized and received the Holy Ghost at the tender age of 6. It was a precious experience; I remember it well.

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

How can you tell if God called him or not?

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

Timmy - my daughter started feeling called to missions at the age of 11 or 12--via personal prayer time and reading her Bible. She's almost 17 and hasn't wavered. She's beginning to raise money for a trip to Kenya next year with AYC. I think it's quite possible to be called at a young age, and I don't believe it's my job to question the validity of her calling as long as I see that she is devoted to God. (e.g., she seems to be motivated correctly) Callings are very personal to the individual and IMO even parents ought to keep only a loose grasp on the process. Some children are intelligent and wise beyond their years and some children do develop a serious relationship with God from a young age. I have a nephew who asked to be baptized at the age of 4 and when his mother asked him why he began to cry and told her that he needed his sins washed away (specifically "telling lies" in this case). While a childlike approach, it still demonstrated an understanding of his need for God and forgiveness. I would never withhold baptism in such a case and really question why anyone would.

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

Ya, when I was 5 and 6 I used to pretend I was driving a car -no doubt a really really fast one! But that didn't cause my folks to put me behind the wheel of a real one and have FOX and CNN blast the story over the airwaves and net about "6 year old receives his drivers license!". The latter is obviously what is happening here.

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

I don't think the danger quotient is quite the same. :)

There is a difference between a child feeling called and parents pushing a child into ministry. The wisdom of a child's parents and leaders makes all the difference in the world, and really we can't know for sure from a distance.

Publicity, on the other hand, can be a bad thing for various reasons, but some people view all publicity as good publicity. I don't agree with that perspective when it comes to children, but I do understand it.

In cases like this, I feel that only time can really tell.

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

I agree with the comments in the article: "There have been child preachers through the decades, and more than one of them has grown up to be quite embittered by the experience and turned away from the faith," said Balmer. "I think that's a cautionary tale to anyone who wants to rush in and be ordained."

Cautionary tale; yes. Does that mean it's "wrong" for a child to be in ministry? No. It needs to be handled correctly, though.

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

We are all ministers when we are filled with the spirit of Christ, but we have different "gifts" operating in us.

Remember the five fold ministry is referred to as gifts of ministry.

Ephesians 4:7 "But unto EVERY one of us is given grace according to the measure of the GIFT of Christ." Skip down to the 11th verse, and it begins to talk about the five different ministry gifts...

The problem here, is that churches are elevating those in the "ministry". EACH one of us has been gifted once filled with the Holy Spirit with ministries, as the Spirit of the Lord determines. That doesn't make any one of us any more special or more holy than another. We are to be the BODY of Christ, and all cannot be the head or the arm, or the leg. There are different ministries within the body, and one is not greater than the other.

My problem with this child of 11 years old being elevated in this position is that while he may very well be annointed of God in a special way, that this elevation of him at a young age will usher in feelings of pride .... and we all know that pride cometh before destruction... and that is what I fear the most.

No doubt he has a call of God on his life, and he should be encouraged to visit the sick, pray with the lost, and whatever he can do to forward the kingdom of God. But to put this child on a pedestal is absolutely the most terrible thing to be done.

We are called to be servants of Christ, and to serve others.... not to find ourselves on an undeserving pedestal of human worship....

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

Video! I want video of this kid!! I can just hear him now exhorting to people about things that happened "when I was young". LOL

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

dear sister... no one said a child couldn't be used of God, or that God had qualms about using children... I suggest you don't insinuate I said something I didn't...

But, even at 11... he is a novice. I'm fully aware it doesn't have to do with age... the literal meaning is "newly planted". However, even at 11, he is a novice... even if he came out of the womb speaking in tongues. He's not far enough away from the age of accountability to know the duties of a ordained minister.

Furthermore, if he's under his parents authority, then that's a contradiction to the qualifications of Timothy... as he should be the head of his house... not a member of it.

Children can absolutely have a deep experience with God, even begin to realize their call... and do a work for the Lord... but not pulpit ministry as an ORDAINED MINISTER... let the kid exhort, testify, even teach a class... but at 11, they have violated Scripture, and God will not contradict His Word. The Word will stand above someone's experience...

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

IYO.

Mine too!

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

;)

I want to slap the smile off that fat face of yours.

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

:nahnah

I know where you live.

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

:runhills

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

I have decided to come in and offer "gentle correction" on this thread. My opinions are fact, so if you have any questions, please hesitate to ask.

1. Miss Bratt: unusual backwoods Oklahoma thinking from you. We may need to get you closer to a large urban area. Also, 11-year-old boys are not the same as 11-year-old girls. They are disgusting little creatures who still eat mud and make fart noises with their armpits. Don't give them too much credit.

2. Bro. Robbins: your posts are hilarious! Please keep the comic relief coming!

3. Randy: Word, my brother. I think you show great common sense. Also, you slightly resemble Bruce Campbell, so I highly respect your opinion. Hail to the king, baby!

4. Timmy: what can I say. You show great wisdom for a backslider. I have hope for you though since you spend at least twice as much time here as you do at www.nowIamagnosticinstead.com

If anyone has any questions, please rethink them and realize that I am correct in all things.

Peace.

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

:yourock

What the hell was that?

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

Houston: I apologize that I did not comment on your posts. I see from your response that you a) have a potty mouth, and b) felt left out. Your opinion was just "meh", so it didn't really stick with me.

Peace.

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

:lol...POD!!! :yourock

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

I knew a man that was mightily used as a young man. His 1st message was at age 8. He ended up a homosexual, addict, liar, thief and defrauded people and congregations out of money. I know this because for a very short time he was my roommate, until I found out some things and got out of dodge.

I learned a LOT from the situation and sometimes I think God allowed it to happen to teach me the end of those who put their gift and love of fame/money over their relationship with God. He was very gifted spiritually. He could read people and sense things even in his depraved condition. He once walked into a friends home and told him him to ditch his pornography - which my friend had hidden in the closet.

I don't know what happened to him, but I know it came about sometime around the time he graduated high school. While we were living together he confessed his formerly being homosexual (he lied he still was an active homosexual). He went to Gateway and said he repented of his sin before he arrived on campus. After putting some things together that he had said and actions I saw for myself (thievery) I realized he did a lot of what he did to spite his parents, who pastored a church outside of Springfield, MO.

Add to all of this I started sensing unholy spirits in our apartment (I gained the gift discerning of spirits to a degree at this time, ironically), I got out of dodge. I fought with several in prayer thinking it was something far off or someone in my church (he was a youth pastor in a neighboring town) but I realized it was something to do with him and he was unrepentant. To say learned a lot is putting it mildly - one thing being you don't rush a kid behind the pulpit. It's almost like child stars in Hollywood - most end up being straight basket cases, dope heads or burn outs.

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

Good points. Occasionally you end up with a Ron Howard but usually you get another Gary Coleman, Tod Bridges, or Dana Plato.

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

:toofunny

I think you're in my top ten...and I never heard of you before. :heeheehee

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

Thank you, AYR. You will be seeing more of me. I feel the call to judge threads based on dubious criteria. In certain cases, I will declare a winner and loser for each thread.

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

:heeheehee

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

You might drop the Romish title, puts real Christians off. I like pods; I'd send a friend request, but you already have enough going against you with the "Bishop" thing.

Timmy: you're fat?

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

Seems "...and a little child will lead them"
should get an airing...

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

Just my face. :lol

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

Ah I did notice a bit of pudginess, right below your nose...and above your chin :toofunny

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

I like rednecks. They are fun to be around. There are lots of them in this region.

Re: 11 Year Old Minister
 

Aww byrd go on and send a friend request. I gotta know that he ain't like the other bishop.