The Rt. Rev. Todd Ousley

[Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs press release] Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry has named Bishop Todd Ousley of Eastern Michigan as bishop for the Office of Pastoral Development, a member of the Presiding Bishop’s staff.

“Bishop Ousley is an experienced bishop with a depth of pastoral and leadership skills,” Curry said. “I am very thankful to him for his willingness to assume this particular ministry which is vital to the spiritual life and vitality of our bishops and, through them, the Episcopal Church. I have known and worked with him for several years and, like my brothers and sisters in the community of bishops and spouses, Bishop Ousley has my deep respect, affection and trust.”

“While it is difficult to cease being bishop in the Diocese of Eastern Michigan, I am honored to serve the Presiding Bishop, the House of Bishops, and the Episcopal Church in a vital role of sustaining the health of our bishops and dioceses,” Ousley said. “For almost 16 years I have had the privilege of serving the Diocese of Eastern Michigan as canon and as bishop, and through it all, we have been sustained by the power of deep relationships, trust in God and trust in one another. I look forward to working with my colleagues, the presiding bishop, and the churchwide staff in further enhancing healthy dioceses and healthy bishops.”

Ousley was appointed following a process in which a committee led by Bishop Jim Waggoner (Diocese of Spokane, resigned) interviewed and recommended finalists who were then interviewed by the presiding bishop and members of the committee working together.

Ousley begins his new position on July 5 and at that time, he can be contacted at tousley@episcopalchurch.org. He will be based in Michigan.

Meet Bishop Ousley
Ousley has been bishop of Eastern Michigan since 2007, having been elected bishop coadjutor in 2006.  He was canon to the ordinary for five years prior.

Before his service in Eastern Michigan, he was rector in churches in Texas. Prior to ordination, Ousley was a therapist and business manager at a psychiatric hospital in Texas.

Among his extensive Episcopal Church activities, Ousley was

• At the 78th General Convention in 2015, House of Bishops liaison with House of Deputies Committee on Confirmation of the Presiding Bishop and Vice-Chairperson for the HOB Legislative Committee on Ministry.
• At the 77th General Convention in 2012, chairperson of the HOB Legislative Committee on Small Congregations.
• Member of Bishops United Against Gun Violence.
• Member of the HOB Planning Committee, chairperson since 2015 and co-chairperson 2012 – 2015.
• Member of HOB Pastoral Development Committee since 2007; chairperson since 2016.
• Member of the Court of Review for Trial of a Bishop 2007 – 2011.
• Board member of Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, 1990 – 1991 and 2003 – 2005.

Ousley holds a Doctor of Ministry in congregational development from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary; Master of Divinity from the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest; Master of Science in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas; and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Baylor University. Ousley also holds various licenses, certificates and continuing education credentials.

Bishop for the Office of Pastoral Development

In this full-time position that reports directly to the Presiding Bishop, the bishop for the Office of Pastoral Development serves as chaplain to bishops and families as a pastoral point person for and with the presiding bishop.

Among the responsibilities for the bishop for the Office of Pastoral Development:

• Provide confidential non-judgmental listening, counsel, guidance, direction and support in crisis and disaster intervention: bereavement counseling, as well as conflict resolution.
• Participate with the Planning Committee for the House of Bishops gatherings and meetings in an ex officio
• Responsible for the processes in the Title III canons on ministry development that pertain to bishops, including the pastoral functions such as pastoral guidance and training.
• Responsible for the processes in the Title IV canons on clergy disciplinary that pertain to bishops, focus on pastoral and coordinator roles and ensure that the process moves in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Provide oversight of the bishop search processes churchwide, which includes providing materials and support for the bishop election process.

Ousley assumes the position from Bishop Clay Matthews who is retiring.

“As chaplain to bishops and families and pastoral point person for and with the presiding bishop, I will continue the firm foundation laid by the current bishop for pastoral development, Bishop Clay Matthews,” Ousley continued. “His nearly two decades of service in this role have been marked by formational and relational work that have helped heal a divided House of Bishops and enabled us to be more responsive to significant challenges in the church and the culture.”