The Rt. Rev. Don A. Wimberly favors the practice of discernment in his spiritual journey, as opposed to striving for a pre-determined goal.

He says he is not a "heavy theologian or advocate" for particular causes, that his call as a bishop has been to "be with people": to be a pastoral presence to his diocese and its clergy.

"I came out of a Methodist background, where our spiritual life was formed by scripture from an early age," he said in a recent interview. "Through scripture I learned that God selects and calls people to specific things. I have a gift of discernment and I choose good people. I believe God has given me that gift.

"As bishop, if I am not serious about my own physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health, then I fail to lead the life I vowed to lead in my ordination vows. When I allow the demands of outward circumstances to govern choices and schedule, I function at a less efficacious level."

Bishop Wimberly tells a story which illustrates the good humor with which God's will can be made known. A dozen years ago, he and the Diocese of Lexington were seeking God's will in the election of that diocese's new bishop. One day in a parking lot in Jacksonville, Fla., where he was dean of St. John's Cathedral, he noticed a Kentucky license plate, which bore the word COME. (Far from being apocryphal, this plate was later checked with the Kentucky Department of Motor Vehicles.)

Regarding his present nomination for Presiding Bishop, he says, "This isn't about what I want. I know that God has called me to be part of this process. Whether God has called me to the office remains to be seen."

Bishop Wimberly says that the job of any bishop, but in particular that of the Presiding Bishop, "is an impossibility. Dioceses prepare these statements about what they want; 99 percent of the profiles say, 'We want a pastor'." But unlike other ministries within the church, the life and work of a bishop is a particular struggle because it does not take place within a community. "It's hard to get your arms around the diocese," he said.

Bishop Wimberly said the nominating committee which interviewed several members of the Diocese of Lexington "told me 'we think you may be too pastoral for the job.' I just was amazed. I think that's the whole point" of ministry. "I have found that it works in a small diocese." But pastor to 2.5 million Episcopalians? "It's outside the realm of possibility.

"I have found that I am called upon to lead with a deep devotion to God, persons, the community and the denomination." He prefers to approach troublesome situations with prayer and patience, combined with a determination and willingness to take decisive action if needed.

In an administrative setting, Bishop Wimberly says, "I can't be everything to everybody. I need people around me with gifts I don't possess, a system of wonderful inter-controls." Regarding his leadership style, he says he seeks consensus among those with whom he works. A bishop has a "duty and responsibility to provide strong leadership, and to delegate appropriate notions of the authority and responsibility emanating from his or her office."

Next month's General Convention in Philadelphia will consider some 50 resolutions dealing with the proposed restructure of the church. Ironically, the election of a new Presiding Bishop will be the refurbishing of the most visible, outward sign of that structure.

Bishop Wimberly says while he agrees some restructuring is needed, "the biggest structure problem we have is the one they won't deal with: General Convention itself. It is an enormous, cumbersome body. It's ludicrous. We're one of the few legislative bodies in the Anglican Communion with a bi-cameral system.

"I find our church is great at saying what it ought to be. We've got to get people talking about affirming the ministry of the laity. Clergy should frame their baptismal certificate and put it on the office wall" since it was that rite of passage which made them ministers, and not ordination. Rejecting a common ecclesiastical layer-cake metaphor for the church, he says he prefers the image of a marble cake, with "swirls of varying ministries permeating the whole."

While declining to identify himself as an advocate for any particular issue, Bishop Wimberly calls the church to higher standards than "half-truths, shallow understanding" and shrill debates. He decries, humanity's inhumanity," saying racism is a constant challenge, and an "intolerable injustice."

Regarding issues of sexuality, he supports ministries "of education, prevention and protection," saying the church must provide leadership in the elimination of all abuses, and be a "safe haven for all persons.

"We have made idols out of issues," he says. "We can't see the mission for the issue, and this makes the church a political arena. Mission work, domestic and foreign, is not to be merely one focus of the church; it is Christ's mandate to the church.

"I am also convinced that extensive work needs to be directed toward the continuing re-establishment of trust in the fiduciary soundness, responsible and accountable stewardship, managerial cohesion and effectiveness.

"I would imagine that some of my 'via media' stances will provoke outcries from all extremists. I think that is healthy, albeit not pleasant."

Bishop Wimberly says he is blessed by "my spouse Wendy's own ministry, her individuality and strong personality, and her extremely honest and outspoken approaches to situations." Wendy Wimberly is a case manager for CRA Managed Care in Lexington, a healthcare advocate for workers' compensation cases. She holds a master's degree in education from Emory University. The Wimberlys, who have two adult children, Brent and Julie, have lived in five dioceses: Western New York, Louisiana, Kansas, Florida and Lexington.

Bishop Wimberly has been a member of the General Convention's committee on Program, Budget and Finance since 1985 and is chair of the Executive Council Administration and Finance Committee. He has since 1991 been a member of the University of the South board of regents, and was recently elected that school's chancellor [TLC, June 1]. He has also served as chair of the Church Deployment Board, the Episcopal Radio-TV Foundation, and sits on the pastoral development committee of the House of Bishops. He is "especially proud" to have been appointed to the governor of Kentucky's Ethics Commission.

Bishop Wimberly believes the Episcopal Church Center itself would benefit from some extensive pastoral care. "The office of Presiding Bishop must be respected for its own sake, but the person in that office must earn the respect: by being present, letting them know who you are, being vulnerable. If a leader shows weakness, it's looked upon as a terrible thing. What a sad way to have to be a leader."

At a recent clergy conference, diocesan clergy asked Bishop Wimberly if they could lay hands on him and pray for the stresses of the coming months. "I sat in the midst of them and asked them for their prayers, and the whole group cared enough for me to pray for me. That was so touching. I need that, and I'm not ashamed to say I need it."

Bishop Wimberly says the Prayer for the Church in the Book of Common Prayer says it all: "Fill the church with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it, where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it..."

Regardless of the outcome of General Convention, "I love being the Bishop of Lexington. On July 25 I will still love being the Bishop of Lexington." o

Catherine Tyndall Boyd is a free-lance writer who lives in Lexington, Ky. She is a member of St. Michael and All Angels' Church, Lexington.