The Rt Rev David Lunan has strong links with the area, spending 12 years as minister of St Andrew's Lhanbryde Church.

Described as having the ability to recognise gifts in others and encourage them to use them, Mr Lunan saw six members of his congregation go to selection school for the ministry.

Also during his time in Moray, he was instrumental in raising the profile of Christian Aid, an organisation that he continues to support, and helped open a hostel for homeless people in Elgin.

He was Moderator of the Presbytery of Moray in 1985-86 and a part-time hospital chaplain in Elgin.

Mr Lunan (63) was brought up in Cambuslang and educated at Glasgow High School and Glasgow University. He left Moray in 1987 when he was called to Glasgow's Renfield St Stephen's Church.

In 2002, Mr Lunan became Clerk to the Presbytery of Glasgow, a role which saw him initiating meetings with local MPs and MSPs, fostering links with Trades House, business, local charities and with police and fire services. Ecumenical links prospered under his guidance, and he was involved in quarterly church leaders' meetings and in the City Council sponsored Forum of Faiths.

He has undertaken a variety of work for the wider church, serving on the first Assembly Council and on the Executive of the Board of Social Responsibility and acting as convener of the Church's Committee on health and healing.

Together with his wife, Maggie, he is Honorary Chaplain to the Church's Mission Partners. Mr Lunan is frequently invited to speak at conferences on topics that include Ministries, Mission and Discipleship, World Mission and Review and Reform.

Study tours with Christian Aid to Philippines, Malawi and South Africa have informed his continuing concern for world development and mission. He has a well-grounded understanding of the issues facing the wider church.

Mr Lunan, who stepped into the Moderator's chair yesterday (Thursday), holds the role for 12 months. He succeeds The Very Rev Sheilagh Kesting, who was the first female minister to be Moderator.

After the Assembly, the Moderator travels as a Church representative in Scotland, other parts of the UK and overseas in an ambassadorial capacity.

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