We MOVE August 4th

After tearing Down; We Build Up

Let the Work Begin; Phase 1

Friends,

I simply want to lay out some photos, first showing the progress of the "demolition."

Second Floor - Office Suite (Sweet)

After a room by room description of the first floor plan, the Office Suite for the Religion Division faculty and staff is a bit more straightforward. After ascending the cork covered stairs, you will enter into the reception area. To your right will be the Conference room with a direct view of the Williams Prayer chapel. That is not by accident, for decisions we make as a division have consequences; may they always be God-honoring.

A few faculty offices are located along the south, the final one will overlook the two story Bistro classroom. However, upon entering the suite, if your eyes look to the left, you will see the majority of the Religion faculty office. We have intentionally designed an open-access area, so we will live, work, and function as a family. Office staff are located throughout the open section in the middle, always ready to serve faculty and students alike.

The heart-beat of the office complex is located in the north central area. On the drawing it says “Work Station – Coffee Bar.” Do not let titles fool you. This is the core of the Divisional decision making. We are a collegial-collaborative group, who need constantly to rub elbows with one another to keep sharp. Moreover, for us, cooperative spirit-filled decision-making usually takes place in a relaxed setting. Thus, our work center is also a place to gather for short, serendipitous, but insightful meetings. Men and women gather to assist one another process situations and to set a course for the future. We hope and pray that form will indeed lead to assisting how we function as a division.

First Floor - A Religion Teacher's Dream

Let me take a moment to give you a heads up on what the New Noggle will look like in the fall 2008. I’ve attached a drawing but let me summarize what you are looking at
One the first floor

1. You will come into the new entrance, it will lead into a remodeled foyer/coffee shop. This is to keep students in the CM Building between classes for fellowship and mentoring. But don’t miss the 24 Hour study lounge which will have computers loaded with Bible software.

2. When you enter, I’m not sure what will catch your attention first, (a) the warm welcome of the coffee, (b) the comfortable chairs for gathering, or (c) the Bistro classroom. This will be a state of the art teaching room. Table and chairs will be surrounded by full glass walls on three sides. One, the outside wall, is a two story glass exposure which will have light cascading into the entire first floor area. Three flat panel screens will provide a clear view from any seat. From a teaching perspective, this will provide the opportunity for groups to work and display their findings one after another. I imagine I’ll have faculty fighting for access to this room.

3. Next go down the hallway past the Bistro. There you will find two working labs; one for Preaching and Worship, the other a Youth Lab. The Worship lab will have a traditional feel, with Ardelia Williams’ stained glass as central focus. The entrance doors will have crosses on them to set the attitude that this will be a classroom of reverence.

4. The Youth lab across the hall will be the mirror image of the Worship lab. The back wall will be glass so everyone can witness Youth majors learning theory and practice being experienced simultaneously. Inside, the classroom will have seats but the gift to the church will be that we will produce youth ministers who know how to set up sound systems, rigging for lights and speakers, multi-media displays. All this will create an atmosphere which facilitates biblical learning for youth in a language they understand. This is hands-on Youth learning! And we have created this so the room can be torn down and rebuilt each week!!!

Well, that’s enough for now. Come back next week for a peek at the rest of the first floor!

How Does One Say "Good-bye" to a Good Friend?

How does one properly say Good-bye? That is the question we asked as a faculty. Our students are excited about the hope which will spring from the ashes of the Noggle demolition. BUT, we could sense the need to have healthy closure.

So, we decided to let students write a "Good-bye" note to the building itself. So, after the pictures of the "Hall of Fame of Faith" were taken down and properly stored until the renovation is complete, we allowed our students to write parting sentiments on the walls in the lobby. Below you will see what they said to each other, to the division as a whole, and to the memories which have been crafted within the walls. So, you ask the question,

"If only the walls of Noggle could talk?" Just listen (or click and read the pictures that capture the life-changes Noggle has made in IWU students.

Welcome to the Remodeling of Noggle CMC

Friends,
Welcome to the site which will report the progress of the remodeling of the Noggle CM Building. The Board of Trustees of IWU at their spring 2007 meeting earmarked $3.6 million dollars to make the CM Building a state of the art educational enter for theological education. What a gift for all current and future students; and for the churches world-wide where these men and women will serve.
The Noggle Christian Ministries building for students and faculty alike has been considered "home." Countless hours have been spent in the classroom, fellow-shipping in the lobby (many folks outside of our CM circle may call this "naps on the leather couches" but fellowship is the spiritual term we will give it). Let's not forget those opportunities for life-changing discipleship in professors' offices. This is a special place, make that a sacred place.
The real reason for this blog is to communicate with past students that the memories which shaped your education and life-changes will not be forgotten. We have carefully integrated new technology (state-of-the-art Worship and Youth labs) with the two most important assets the Religion Division has always possessed; passionate students and devoted professors.

By the fall 2008, we hope to have the best facilities of any Religion Division in the country but it will never be more than a means to an end; our Mission: theologically educating wholly devoted followers of Jesus Christ.