Log College Distinctives

A Different Approach to Seminary Education!

Our Mission and Vision

We are a decidedly Reformed Christian seminary that seeks to educate the body of Christ completely free of charge. Our ministry enables Christians to get a seminary level education without going into debt (Romans 13:8). This allows our graduates to focus on God’s call instead of how they can best pay off their seminary debt. Not only will this help our students by keeping them out of debt, but it will also help smaller churches retain educated pastors who are more financially flexible.

 The Log College & Seminary desires to see theological education restored to the local church. Ministry preparation is, after all, a part of the church's discipleship task!   LCS seeks to serve the local church by providing an academic platform pastors can use in the training of their members for ministry and in the training of men called to the work of the gospel ministry.  Our vision is to help prepare a new generation of Reformed pastors who are passionate for the glory of God, the proclamation of the Gospel, and the equipping of the church for ministry - without the financial obligation of the traditional seminary! 

Academics

We award degrees based on the successful completion of our required curriculum.   All of our curriculum is listed on our website to ensure the transparency of our efforts to the public.  You can review our degree programs by clicking here.

We teach through mentoring. The mentor guides and helps the student with his studies. We are interested in more than academics, so the mentor is also responsible to ascertain and help grow the student’s application of biblical principles to their life. This is accomplished "one-on-one" and through interaction with the student’s home church.

LCS views itself not as a separate institution, but as an educational resource for the local church. It has always been the responsibility of the local church to “equip the saints for the work of ministry.” In Ephesians 4:11-12 Paul says it quite simply - God’s plan for His church is equipping for the work of service to the building up of the body of Christ.  We realize that the local church often does not have the educational resources or manpower for this “equipping.” LCS desires not to supplant, but rather to work alongside the leadership of the local church by providing curriculum and educational support for equipping their people. Our design is to keep local church leadership involved in the training process of the student. While we might be able to provide a high level education, we cannot provide the avenues for servanthood that come from being involved in the community of the local church.

Our History

Originally established as The North American Reformed Seminary in 2008, The Log College and Seminary seeks to continue the mission, vision, and values of the original Log College and expand its reach as the twenty-first century continuation of the Log College and true spiritual heir. After much research, reflection, and prayer, the Oversight Board of TNARS increasingly realized the historical, methodological, pedagogical, and spiritual connections existing between the seminary and the original Log College.  It seemed only fitting that the seminary should honor the connections in a more substantial way. After further reflection and prayer, the Oversight Board humbly determined that the seminary should be renamed to substantiate the vital connection and continue the legacy of extraordinary education, experientialism, and evangelism so wonderfully exhibited first in the old Log College of Neshaminy.

Does a legitimate connection between the schools truly exist? Is the change in name warranted and justifiable? The following five points of connection are offered to establish the link. 

The first point of connection is historical. Just as the Log College was the first free Presbyterian seminary, TNARS was the first free online Presbyterian seminary. Like its predecessor, TNARS/LCS is committed to providing an accessible theological education ensuring that those who pursue God’s call may do so completely unhindered by financial concern or burden. There was no commercializing of knowledge at the old Log College. The labors conducted there were motivated out of love for the gospel, the church, and the Kingdom. The Log College was donation based, operating on the gracious contributions of able students, friends, local churches, and even the presbytery. In the same way, TNARS/LCS operates solely upon the generous contributions of students, churches, and friends of the seminary. There is no tuition, no need for room and board, and even textbooks are provided. The only costs for students are time and hard work.

The second point of connection is methodological/pedagogical. Like the original Log College, TNARS/LCS is based upon a pastoral apprenticeship model. Students study theology under a qualified and experienced pastor within the ministry context of their own local church. This is the model of pastoral discipleship Paul impresses upon Timothy (2 Timothy 2:1-2).  Church history provides ample testimony of the effectiveness of this Biblical model. This particular approach not only prioritizes the role of the local church, but also allows for theological training to be conducted without financial burden.

 The third point of connection is missional. The desire to produce pastor-scholars with a passion for knowledge, piety, preaching, and evangelism is likewise identical, as well as the deep-seated conviction of the absolute need for the Holy Spirit’s regenerating and sanctifying power. In fact, the seminary offers a complete course focusing on revival and church revitalization.

The fourth point of connection is doctrinal. Like the original Log College, TNARS/LCS adopts the Westminster Standards as its official statement of faith, specifically the 1788 American Revision, the culmination of the developing ideas of early American Presbyterians surrounding the relationship between church and state.  An unwavering love for the Standards and unreserved commitment to them is the desired outcome for every student. All courses are conscientiously and carefully composed to ensure conformity with the Standards. An entire course is dedicated to studying the Standards, and students are even required to memorize the Shorter Catechism for the course examination. Log College men were, and always will be, Westminster men.

The fifth point of connection is attestation. Despite all of the great advantages offered by the Log College model and its Biblical precedent, the school was not without its detractors and critics. While much of the disdain stemmed more from a contempt of its position on revival, the school still battled a continual eye of scrutiny by many throughout its existence. This scrutiny was answered in large part by the caliber and success of its graduates.  In the same way, LCS rests upon the caliber and success of its graduates as the final and ultimate attestation of its model and programs.

 No other institution can claim all five of these important parallels besides LCS. There is clearly a vital connection between the two institutions that should be duly acknowledged. TNARS/LCS is the true spiritual heir of the old Log College, the twenty-first century continuation of the Log College, and present embodiment of all that was essential to the old Log College.

Interestingly, just a few miles from the seminary’s headquarters in Sumter, SC, is the grave of William Tennent III (1740-1777). Tennent, a Presbyterian pastor and patriot, had traveled to New Jersey to bring his recently widowed mother back with him to South Carolina. During this journey Tennent was overcome by fever and died near Stateburg, or the “High Hills of Santee”. He was buried nearby in the Singleton family cemetery. Tennent was only six years old when the Log College ceased but may well have remembered the old log building standing in the field across the road from his grandfather’s house. While Tennent has joined the church triumphant, here the church militant continues its glorious work, and by God’s grace, Log College men remain present yet to lend their aid and faithfully adorn the gospel of their Lord.

For a full treatment of the history of the Log College, read "The Log College: Yesterday and Today" by Dr. John McDonald.

Our Logo

The LCS logo is an exact digitization of the Log College building as portrayed in the only known sketch of the Log College.  The logo was created by Jeremiah and Hyewon Pendleton who graciously donated their time and talents.  Jeremiah is a LCS student with a call to serve as a missionary.

Our Beliefs

Our Doctrinal stance is Reformed, meaning that we follow in the same doctrinal footsteps of the great Reformers during the period of the Reformation. To learn more about our beliefs please visit our

“Statement of Faith” page. 

LCS is not affiliated with a particular denomination and our students come from both Reformed and non-Reformed backgrounds.  If you would like to expand your knowledge of God's Word and deepen your relationship with Him, we invite you to study with us and continue the legacy of the old Log College.