Lexington diocese elects David Sibley its ninth bishop

The Diocese of Lexington elected the Rev. David Sibley as its ninth bishop on Aug. 1. Photo: Courtesy of the Diocese of Lexington

[Diocese of Lexington] The Diocese of Lexington elected the Rev. David Sibley as its ninth bishop on the second ballot during a special Electing Convention held on Aug. 1 at Christ Church Cathedral.

“I am overwhelmed by the trust that the diocese has placed in me in calling me to live and serve in the Diocese of Lexington as a co-laborer in the vineyard, as we work together for the faith of the gospel,” Sibley said. “It will take years for me to make sense of this call, but I find great comfort in the words of Saint Augustine of Hippo, who said that ‘where I’m terrified by what I am for you, I am given comfort by what I am with you. For you I am a bishop, with you, after all, I am a Christian… I take my rest in the marvelous benefit conferred on all of us in common.’”

Sibley serves as rector of St. Paul’s Church, Walla Walla, Washington, in the Diocese of Spokane.  He brings a record of innovative parish leadership, churchwide service, and organizational stewardship, having served congregations in Washington and New York. He has also served in churchwide ministry as a deputy to General Convention, helped lead churchwide efforts to reform the Denominational Health Plan, and currently chairs the Joint Standing Committee on Nominations. Sibley also speaks about his “run-in with prime-time television,” as a four-time champion on the TV show Jeopardy! and a Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions semifinalist in 2024. He and his wife Emily have a young daughter.

The election of the ninth bishop of the diocese culminates an almost two-year journey that began in October 2024 when then-Bishop Mark Van Koevering announced his intention to retire.

“This is an exciting time in the Diocese of Lexington as we look forward to ministering alongside Bishop-elect Sibley for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for the benefit of our communities,” said the Ven. Jeff Queen, president of the Standing Committee. “On behalf of the Standing Committee and the Diocese of Lexington, I want to thank the members of the Search Committee and Transition Committee who have worked long and hard to get us to this moment, and Christ Church Cathedral staff and Dean Carol Wade for their ministry of hospitality during this convention. I am also grateful for all the nominees and their families who have been willing to walk with us in this journey of discernment.”

The other nominees were:

• The Rev. Karen Booth, rector of Holy Trinity, Georgetown, Kentucky.
• The Rev. Benjamin Hart, rector of St. Luke’s, Anchorage, Kentucky.
• The Rev. Rob Keim, rector of St. Barnabas’ Episcopal Church, Arroyo Grande, California.

Discernment continues, with the consent process commencing. This 120-day period requires approval from a majority of bishops with jurisdiction and a majority of diocesan standing committees. Once approved, Sibley will be consecrated as the ninth bishop of Lexington in a special service at Christ Church Cathedral. In this transition period, Bishop Jeff Lee, retired bishop of Chicago, is serving Lexington as assisting bishop. An ordination date has not yet been finalized.

To learn more about the candidates and the search process, visit www.diolex.org/transition-IX-Bishop.