Greater Northwest Area of The United Methodist Church

Showing up for our neighbors

Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth offers a timely message of compassion and action as the federal government shutdown begins to affect families across the Greater Northwest and beyond. Pastoral leaders are encouraged to share this message with their congregations as a call to open hearts and respond to community needs.

Staying true to our mission beyond politics

Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth has issued a pastoral letter to United Methodists in the Greater Northwest. In light of a recent IRS ruling on political endorsements, he reminds us: the Church’s mission is not aligned with parties or candidates, but rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our pulpits are not platforms for partisanship — they are spaces where love, justice, and grace are lived out.

Inland and Seven Rivers Superintendency Team

Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth intends to appoint Rev. Geoff Helton, Rev. Cody Natland, and Rev. Hubert Rigor to a superintendency team overseeing the Inland and Seven Rivers District beginning July 1, 2026. Rev. Daniel Miranda will continue to serve as Inland and Seven Rivers District Superintendent through the next appointment year before ending his tenure in the role.

Columbia and Sage District Superintendents team

Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth intends to appoint Rev. Dr. Troy Lynn Carr, Rev. Melissa Harkness and Rev. Dr. Rob Walters to a superintendency team overseeing the Sage and Columbia Districts in the Oregon-Idaho Conference, July 1, 2026. Rev. Karen Hernandez will continue to serve as Columbia and Sage District Superintendent through the next appointment year before ending her tenure in the role.

GNW Area seeks director of property asset management

Director of Property Asset Management

The Greater Northwest Area (GNW) of The United Methodist Church is actively seeking a Director of Property Asset Management

to oversee the management of GNW property resources in support of the ministry of the conference. The director partners with conference leadership to strategically manage and maintain real estate and other property in alignment with ministry priorities and GNW’s framework of the M.I.L.E. (Ministry that Matters, Itineration and Location, Lay Ministry Enhancement and Eliminating Racism). The Director also oversees management of the Conference Center Operations for the Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest conferences and the conference owned property portfolio, including closed churches, clergy staff housing, and vehicles.

The GNW encompasses ministries in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, supported by three Conferences (Alaska, PNW, Oregon-Idaho). This position is part of a team of directors coordinating administrative and shared services for the GNW Area and advises several committees, including the Board of Trustees, Archives and History, Congregational Development, and District Committees on Building and Location. The Director will communicate regularly with local churches, district superintendents, and conference committees on financial and business matters, and play a key role in financial, strategic, and conference-wide planning. The Director must provide timely, attentive service and support to conference members, churches, and staff, acting as a change agent when necessary.

Essential functions:

Oversee asset and facilities management for the GNW Area in consultation with the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, while supervising assigned staff
Develop and implement information systems and other asset management strategies, including identification and classification, lifecycle management, cost optimization and security management for ministry priorities
Ensure property management and maintenance budgets operate within budget
Manage vendor relationships and performance for office supplies, equipment, technology, and IT support services
Oversee building maintenance, repairs, safety inspections, and managing building systems, equipment, and infrastructure
Develop and implement strategies to manage real estate assets, including property deployment, maintenance, utilization and protection for ministry priorities
Partner with Directors of Connectional Ministries to envision and implement use of property as a resource to support ministry development
Guide church teams or committees through strategic planning, needs assessments, organizational audits, funding identification, and other operational tasks to expand and grow community-facing ministries.
Serve as the point of contact for affordable housing and property redevelopment inquiries, coordinating with relevant personnel to support congregations and conferences through discernment, discovery, and development stages.
Oversee real estate leasing, tenant relations, appraisals, and sales of closed churches, as well as maintenance of conference-owned parsonages and the Episcopal Residence for the Bishop
Responsible for negotiation and coordination of vehicle purchases and leases
Conduct risk and safety assessments, develop and implement risk management plans in alignment with ministry priorities
Manage liability insurance and oversee insurance programs and compliance for Conference Centers and the property portfolio, while providing resources to local churches on risk and property management issues
Evaluate opportunities using financial statements, market trends, and economic indicators, make data-driven decisions, forecast market trends in commercial real estate, and track spending to prioritize resources effectively
Communicate complex information to stakeholders, negotiate favorable terms with brokers and vendors, build and maintain relationships, facilitate conflict resolution, and ensure confidentiality of sensitive information.
Develop long-term strategies aligned with organizational priorities, stakeholder objectives, and market conditions, using planning tools to evaluate, prioritize, and delegate tasks effectively.
Identify and assess risks to asset and facilities management, and develop and implement mitigation strategies

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience preferred.
5+ years of experience in commercial real estate property management required.
3+ years of supervisory experience in multi-cultural and diverse environments required.
Strong understanding of property laws and processes in GNW geographic region.
Prior experience overseeing commercial lines of insurance for multiple entities
Strong understanding of church-owned commercial property experience preferred.
Nonprofit management experience is preferred.
Knowledge of or willingness to learn, and commitment to, the United Methodist Church and how it functions at the local church, district, conference, area, and general church levels is highly desirable.
Understanding and support of the values and mission of the Greater Northwest Area of The United Methodist Church.

Additional Considerations:

In-office work schedule out of the Oregon-Idaho Conference Center located in Portland, Oregon or the Pacific Northwest Conference Center located in Des Moines, Washington with occasional travel, some evening and weekend work.
Generous health and welfare benefits and paid time off
14 Holidays

To apply please visit:

https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=277387&clientkey=E1CB377AF1A59C982D4A8BC33247365B

Closing Date: 04/23/2025

GNW is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks and encourages applications from minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities. All offers of employment are subject to the applicant successfully completing background, reference, and other applicable checks.

No Staffing Agencies or Recruitment Firms

Puget Sound District Superintendency Team

Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth intends to appoint Rev. Joel Aosved, Rev. Pat Longstroth, and Rev. Joe Kim to a superintendency team overseeing the Puget Sound District beginning July 1, 2026. Rev. Mark Galang will continue to serve as Puget Sound District Superintendent through the next appointment year before ending his tenure in the role.

Crest to Coast Superintendency Team

Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth has announced the future appointment of Rev. Katie Ladd and Rev. Bruce Smith to a superintendency team serving the Crest to Coast District beginning in 2026. He also announced an appointment for Rev. Smith to new ministry settings in 2025. The superintendency appointments are part of a broader shift toward collaborative, part-time superintendency — an innovative model designed to bring leadership closer to local churches while supporting continuity and care.

SeaTac Superintendency Team

Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth intends to appoint Rev. Shalom Agtarap, Rev. Ferdie Llenado, and Rev. Elizabeth Schindler to a superintendency team overseeing the SeaTac District beginning July 1, 2025. In addition to this new appointment, Revs. Agtarap and Llenado will continue to serve their current appointments, Tacoma First United Methodist Church (UMC) and Fairwood Community UMC, respectively.

Looking Forward

Bishop Bridgeforth offers an early update on significant leadership transitions coming to the Pacific Northwest and Oregon-Idaho conferences. Beginning in January, we will share announcements related to new superintendency appointments and an experimental team-based model designed to bring leadership closer to the local church while easing financial burdens. These changes come as several current superintendents complete their service in the next 18 months. We’re also expanding the cabinet to include leadership in Indigenous Ministries and continuing our commitments to equity and innovation. The bishop remains committed to sharing transparently as we shape a future responsive to the needs of today’s church.

The morning after…

On this morning after a contentious election cycle, GNW Area Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth shares this reminder of the people we are called to be in community.