A former Royal Marine Commando, has become the first minister in Inverness to resign what he claims is the Church of Scotland's continued departure from Biblical teaching.

Rev Andrew McMillan, 38, is set to join the Free Church because he believes the national church has "unchurched itself" by a series of unbiblical decisions on subjects such as gay clergy, same-sex marriage and the question of Christian worship from state schools

He will depart from Dalneigh and Bona Church of Scotland at the end of February, and is set to establish a new Free Church in the west of Inverness.

Mr McMillan, who was converted while in the military, told his congregation on Sunday

He said: "It has become more and more clear that my understanding of the nature of the Scriptures - which is entirely in line with Christian faith throughout the last 2,000 years - is simply not shared by the vast majority of the Church of Scotland, which has chosen to listen to the spirit of the age rather than the Spirit of Christ.

"And again for example, over the next few weeks the Scottish Parliament will be considering the contentious matter of assisted suicide. In times past, it would be a no-brainer that the Church of Scotland would unanimously oppose the deliberate killing of an innocent life - as the sixth commandment says 'do not kill'. "

The Church of Scotland's Acting Principal Clerk, Rev Dr George Whyte, said the Kirk was saddened by Rev Andrew McMillan's decision to leave his charge in Inverness. Arrangements were already in place,

He said: "The Church of Scotland has engaged in a careful theological debate on the subject of ministers in civil partnerships and the overture on this issue will be debated at the General Assembly in May. It would be wrong to pre-judge the outcome of that debate.

"At present, from the 800 ministers within the church, 18 have chosen to leave over this issue. In many cases these congregations have enjoyed a renewal in commitment and energy. In two weeks, the congregation at Stornoway High Church will welcome their new minister. This has been made possible by the new unity of purpose the members have experienced since they themselves went through a painful split."

" It is implausible and indeed untrue that the church proposes to remove Christian worship from state schools. The church will not shrink from its responsibilities to carry out God's work in a way which brings his spirit and message into the lives of its members and wider society."

He said the Church of Scotland was a national church, engaged in wide ranging debate on matters both practical and spiritual "relevant to the life of our nation."