The Church is addressing its financial difficulties

Last month, the Church announced plans to close eight of its residential and care services for elderly people and an alcohol rehabilitation centre.

It blamed a lack of local and government funding for the closures.

Mr Reid, a former editor of The Herald newspaper, said: "The Church of Scotland notoriously lacks a chief executive or indeed any kind of modern management structure.

"I am convinced that manses are a menace. Most ministers seem to dislike them, some dislike them intensely and regard them as a serious psychological and physical hindrance in their work.

Taxing times

"When I spoke to three trainee ministers at New College, they were all dreading having to live in manses."

However, his idea was challenged by an accountant who works for the Church.

Donald Ross said he did not believe the proposal would have the desired effect.

Mr Ross said it would serve to create "tax problems" and ministers would find it difficult to find alternative accommodation in wealthy and rural areas.

Recently, the Kirk vowed to tackle the problem of sectarianism north of the border, after admitting its record was "far from blameless".