A SENIOR Church of Scotland figure has said there is no obvious link between its membership falling below 400,000 for the first time and the Kirk's ongoing debate over the issue of gay ordination.

Acting principal clerk of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland Rev Dr George Whyte spoke on the issue after statistics showed that there were almost 50,000 fewer Kirk members last year than three years ago.

The acting principal clerk said the reduction is mainly linked to the age profile of congregations.

The figures that will go before the General Assembly, the annual gathering of Kirk members in Edinburgh next month, showed there were 398,389 members last year, compared to 445,646 in 2010.

Around 730 delegates, or commissioners, including ministers and elders drawn from congregations across Scotland will debate the issue of allowing gay clergy that was sparked by the appointment of openly gay Scott Rennie to an Aberdeen church in 2009.

Mr Whyte said: "The decline in official membership is primarily linked to the age profile of congregations.

"There is no obvious link to discussions over potential ordination of ministers in same sex relationships.

"Just 1% of our 1389 congregations have seen their minister and a proportion of their members leave the Church of Scotland for this reason."

He added: "The Church of Scotland is naturally disappointed that in the last year the number of official members has dropped by 3%.

"However with almost 400,000 members, the Church remains one of the largest membership organisations in Scotland.

"It is also true that there are many more people who take part in church life but are not on the formal roll.

"The government census last year revealed almost a third of the population - 1.7 million - identify with the Church of Scotland."

Kirk members will debate a wide range of issues at the week-long gathering starting on Saturday May 17.