Seeing a Way Forward: Bishop Ough

Bishop Bruce R. Ough, president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops 
Bishop Bruce Ough is the resident bishop of the Dakota and Minnesota Episcopal Areas.

Bishop Bruce Ough is the resident bishop of the Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area. He was also president of the Council of Bishops during the 2016 General Conference that authorized the Commission on a Way Forward.

Ough spoke with UM News as part of "Seeing a Way Forward," a video series featuring different perspectives of church leaders on the work of the Commission on a Way Forward.

Watch videos.

"What I'm praying for."
As the called 2019 General Conference nears, Bishop Bruce Ough of the Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area prays for a unified church.

God's mission is contextual
As bishop over churches with a wide range of theological perspectives, Bishop Bruce Ough of the Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area says he reminds them that they remain unified in serving out God's mission.

Misconceptions about Way Forward process
Bishop Bruce Ough of the Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area says he often hears from United Methodists who think the bishops are trying to control the outcome of the Commission on a Way Forward. He insists they are following out the mandate given them by the 2016 General Conference.

The only way to a breakthrough
Bishop Bruce Ough of the Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area asks that everyone in the church overlook their preconceptions and continue to pray for the church as decisions about its future arrive.

This is the fifth in a series of video interviews by United Methodist News Service. View the interviews with Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, Bishop Christian Alsted, Bishop John Yambasu, and Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball.


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Social Concerns
Bishop C. Dale White speaks at the 1980 United Methodist General Conference in Indianapolis about his 11-day visit to Iran in November aimed at fostering dialogue amid the Iranian hostage crisis. White spoke about his delegation’s meeting with the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. File photo courtesy of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History.

Taking action during a previous Iran crisis

A few weeks into the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis, Bishop C. Dale White of New Jersey joined a small delegation of religious leaders headed to Iran in hopes of fostering dialogue.
General Church
Members of the Interim Committee on Organization for the U.S. Regional Conference, called I-ROC for short, stand together in front of the Upper Room Chapel at the conclusion of their first meeting together July 16-18 in Nashville, Tenn. The group is responsible for organizing the inaugural session of the U.S. Regional Conference, now planned for spring 2029. Photo by JP Penrod, General Council on Finance and Administration.

Planners set time for US Regional Conference

Organizers are beginning to plan The United Methodist Church’s inaugural U.S. Regional Conference. While excited about the work, the group faces some big challenges.
Human Sexuality
Jan Lawrence addresses Reconciling Ministries Network’s convocation held July 24-27, 2025, at First United Methodist Church in downtown Madison, Wis. Lawrence is retiring after serving as Reconciling Ministries Network’s executive director for nearly a decade. Many United Methodists credit her with helping to lead the denomination to a new day. File photo by Joscie Cutchens, UM News.

LGBTQ leader retires after pivotal changes

Jan Lawrence kept United Methodist advocates organized after the denomination strengthened bans against LGBTQ people and helped lead the way toward the longtime bans’ repeal.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2026 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved