Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 30, 1990 TAG: 9006300184
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CODY LOWE RELIGION WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The transfer marked the end of a months-long process in which the Justice House residents and the Virginia Mennonite Conference Board of Missions had fought over terms under which the deed could change hands.
David Hayden, who leads the community of formerly homeless people who live in the apartment building, said the deed was transferred last Friday. "We're delighted. Our perspective has been that part of the liberation process" is to escape a landlord-tenant relationship.
Hayden was defrocked by the Mennonite Church in November, in part over his espousal of liberation theology. Proponents of that view see Jesus as liberator of the poor, whom they consider the sole or primary beneficiaries of his ministry.
Justice House/Justice Church had been virtually rent-free tenants in the building owned by the Mennonite Board of Missions. Sam Weaver, executive secretary of the Virginia Mennonite Conference, Thursday put the value of the building in excess of $300,000.
Weaver said the denomination still is debating the official status of the Justice Church congregation, but that for the time being it is considered a part of the denomination. General fund contributions to the ministry were cut off last September, but the denomination has been sending about $2,000 a month specified by individuals and congregations for donation to Justice House/Justice Church.
The deed transfer was completed after a series of negotiations between Justice House residents and the Mennonite conference. The residents earlier this year rejected a long-term lease agreement that included a long list of conditions on the building's use that they considered unacceptable, Hayden said.
The deed includes only a stipulation that if the buildings are ever sold any proceeds must revert to the Mennonite conference, Hayden said. Weaver said the only condition of the transfer was that the building must be used to house homeless people.
Hayden and a group of Justice House residents last fall had demanded an immediate transfer of title to the property and threatened to occupy denominational offices in Harrisonburg until the Board of Missions agreed.
Weaver said the denomination was now trying to avoid confrontation with Hayden and the Justice House residents "at all costs."
by CNB