Training up bi-vocational ministers
Why Work-Study
Logos is not the only gap year program. There are several amazing options out there…but virtually all of them cost $15-25,000 for the year. It’s a reasonable number, but only for families that have a bit of money set aside. Logos is a school for those who might not be so fortunate. It’s for those who get by on hard work and simple living. Strong hands and humble hearts is who we aim to be.
It also adds a different dimension to the school. The reality is that most people spend most of their life at work. But very few are ever shown how work can be worshipful, or how to merge the sacred and secular. This full-orbed approach to discipleship seeks to impact every area of life, not just the spiritual. The Word has a lot to teach us about finances, family, creativity, and productivity as well.
Finally, the work-study program sets its sights on bi-vocational ministers from smaller communities. Little country churches that can’t afford a full-time pastor. Logos is meant to be just enough to help someone preach and disciple effectively. It is not a substitute for seminary, but we also recognize that not everyone has the luxury of four or six years away at college. It’s also intended for the future mothers who will be entrusted with the most important job in the world. Or the career-minded individuals who also want to be effective in ministry both on and off the clock. It’s for the spiritual middle class that the church so desperately needs at the moment. We have a lot of PhD-holding pastors and a lot of church-going recipients, praise God! But Logos is for those in between.
706-GET-WOOD
Introducing our first business: firewood. It’s simple, it’s seasonal, it’s easy to work on a few hours at a time. 706-GET-WOOD sells premium, kiln-dried firewood in two ways. 1) Off-grid vending machines. Pick up a bundle for a competitive price from a solar-powered, unattended vendor. These work exceptionally well in campgrounds, RV parks, vacant parking lots, gas stations, churches, etc. They can be placed anywhere the sunlight touches, no utilities required. 2) Delivered pallets. Sample our firewood by the bundle, but order it by the pallet to save over 50%. It comes stacked and wrapped and wheeled right to your back porch or fire pit area. No hassle, no fuss. Just good, clean-burning fires all winter. More info at 706getwood.com.
Logos Dogs
Nine months of a cuddling floppy fuzzballs? Who could say no to that?
Logos Dogs aims to raise carefully-bred, health tested puppies that come from proven bloodlines and have spent their first eight weeks in a highly social environment. We do not intend to ever have more than one litter at a time, so expect about six dogs to come available every two months or so. And please don’t rush your selection; we only want to send our pups home to a family they really connect with.
Logos Farm
One of Logos’ greatest assets is the land it was built on. The property was two or even three times bigger than necessary, but miraculously still in budget. We quickly found ourselves in need of help to manage it all. The goats keep the underbrush cleared, the sheep keep the grass mowed, the chickens keep the soil fertilized and aerated, and the bunnies…well they’re just cute. But besides improving the land we share, these animals are also great at brightening up our day.
We’d love to share that joy with you at your kid’s next birthday party, your church’s live nativity, your bachelorette’s goat yoga party, or really whatever you had in mind. We’re a petting zoo on wheels. If you want to add some life to your next get-together, just give us a call.
Hospitality
Not all of our jobs are profit-generating. A dollar saved is a dollar earned, right? So most of the cooking and cleaning and housekeeping at Logos is done by students. There are staff to coordinate it and ensure everything is up to standards, of course, but most of the hands-on tasks are carried out by the students who have chosen that work.
If you’re interested in learning to cook or bake, or if you have a heart for simple acts of service, then this could be a great fit. It’s low-stress and has a very predictable routine if that sounds up your alley. Plus, the kitchen and dining hall objectively have the best Spotify playlists.
Is this legal?
And finally, for any esquires who made it this far, I too asked that question. Turns out it is legal, so long as everything is set up and accounted for properly, and every student’s compensation is worth at least minimum wage. Based on my calculations, if the year is to end with a balanced budget, every man-hour will have to generate $28 of value. That - times 15 - is the weekly cost of room, board, and tuition per student. 28 an hour is attainable, but it’s not easy by any means. Certainly not with the labor-intensive, low barrier to entry businesses that we run. So, if you find it in your heart to send any customers our way, we would be much appreciative.
Until the school starts in August of 2028, the businesses will be run for-profit. At that point they will be absorbed into the school (a non-profit). From then on, any dollar earned will belong entirely to the school, of which we (the founders) will own nothing and receive nothing as salary.