Rev John Miller takes over the post next May

Rev Miller's main focus has been in his own parish, where he is chaplain to five schools and a home for older people and offers support to a group for the families of drug users.

In what is being seen by some as a break with Kirk tradition, he represents a parish which is less than affluent.

Speaking to BBC Scotland, Rev Miller dismissed the misconception that the church is only ministering to the middle classes.

And he said: "Now I have been invited to be moderator and I have been assigned this role for the next year, I recognise how responsible a job it is," he said.

"I am only hoping that I will find that the kinds of experience I have stored away for the last 30 years will be of value to the church.

"I will do my best to fulfill it as best I can."

Short-listed candidates

Rev Miller was born in Oxford but educated at Kilmarnock Academy and Merchant Taylors' School before attending Corpus Christi College in Oxford, New College and Moray House College in Edinburgh and the Union Theological Seminary in New York.

He is married to Mary, and the couple have two daughters and a son.

He was one of two short-listed candidates for the post, and his nomination must still be approved by the General Assembly next May.

This is only the second year the Kirk has said who was on the shortlist to take over as moderator.

The Rt Rev Andrew McLellan

The other name on the list was Rev Rodger, 64. He is currently at St Columba's Church in London, but was for many years at Ellon near Aberdeen.

Rev Miller now faces the challenge of making sure the Kirk remains relevant to contemporary society.

The church is fighting a long-term decline in congregations.

In May, the Rt Rev McLellan said the Church of Scotland should enter a new era of openness.

Speaking during a service at St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, he said the Kirk should welcome an "independent" assessment of its workings as a means of forging ahead.