The Rev Richard Dawson was yesterday announced as moderator-designate, and will become moderator in late 2016.
Mr Dawson (56), who is minister at St Stephens Leith Valley Presbyterian Church, said he was surprised and ''quite humbled''.
The result of the recent election was announced yesterday at the church's General Assembly, in Auckland.
Mr Dawson, who was born in Dunedin, studied at the University of Otago, and after graduating in 1980, worked as a forestry contractor and for Youth for Christ. He later studied at the Knox Theological Hall and completed his training in 1988.
He yesterday addressed about 450 people at the General Assembly and highlighted aspects of his intended approach as a future moderator.
The church needed to boost its skills in forming ''closer links'' with the wider community, he said in an interview.
That process would require ''a lot of listening'' and only ''a little bit of talking''.
In 2002, he helped to launch, with the Rev Helen Harray, ''studentsoul'', a ministry to Otago University and Otago Polytechnic students.
He had always enjoyed working with children and young people and connecting more closely with them was another key priority for the church.
He would be seeking to call the Presbyterian Church back to both prayer and unity.
''It is only in relationship with the Lord of the Church that we will find the ability to restore our relationship with one another and the heart of that first relationship is prayer.''
He has served the Presbyterian Church as moderator of the Presbyterian Synod of Otago and Southland, as well as on its Council of Assembly and National Assessment Committee. He was convener of the committee which created the Church's new confession of faith, Kupu Whakapono.
He ministered at the South Otago Presbyterian church of Stirling-Kaitangata-Lovells Flat from 1990-99, then returned to Dunedin to minister at Leith Valley Presbyterian Church.
