He’s not the Messiah... he’s the new moderator of the Church of Scotland.

Reverend Colin Sinclair has taken on many roles throughout his life - including starring as an extra in a Monty Python film - but his new appointment leading the church’s General Assembly for 2019 will be his biggest one to date.

The 55-year-old, who appeared as a soldier in Monty Python and the Holy Grail (rather than the later, and perhaps more appropriate, Life of Brian), admits his new job excites and terrifies him at the same time, but he is “honoured” to be given the opportunity.

And while his acting career never took off, Mr Sinclair has had plenty of experience working with the church, including spending time in Zambia, working as a parish minister, and leading the Scripture Union to support him in his role as moderator.

The father-of-four, who will take up the post next year, is currently the parish minister at Palmerston Place in Edinburgh.

Mr Sinclair said: “I’m really looking forward to the role, but I’m terrified at the same time. I’m hoping that I can do it justice.”

He added: “It will be a pleasure to encourage church members in their faith and to see the impact of their faith in communities across our country.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed being a parish minister and despite the challenges we face I believe the Christian faith is still relevant to Scotland.

“Our message is still good news and it still changes lives.”

Mr Sinclair grew up in the south side of Glasgow and it was as a pupil at Glasgow Academy that he first became interested in Christianity after watching a Scripture Union camp video.

He went on to study economics at Stirling University and it was during his time there that he performed one of his more unusual jobs as a movie extra.

“I was a student at Stirling University when they were filming at Doune Castle and it seemed like a better option than going to lectures,” he said.

“It was fascinating really, watching the crew. We all got dressed up as soldiers and had to run up and down a hill. We appeared in the scene towards the end of the film where lots of the soldiers were running down the hill.

“It seemed like a long day but it was great fun - and later on it gave me great street cred with my children when I could say I was in the film.

“I actually left the country not long after I did it and kind of forgot all about it, I only actually watched the film about 20 years later and I can just about pick myself out, only because I know where I am.”

After his brief appearance on the big screen, Mr Sinclair, then aged 20, was approached by Scripture Union and asked if he would go to Zambia.

The job, which lasted three years, involved travelling around the country, living out of his car and speaking at schools, churches, hospitals and colleges.

He said: “Those three years changed my life. Being away from everything familiar I was able to sort out which parts of my faith were mine, and which were not.

“I encountered people from many different countries and with many different beliefs. I met all the Church of Scotland missionaries there and everyone was very supportive. I learned to trust God.”

On his return from Zambia, Mr Sinclair completed his ministry studies and was appointed to his first solo parish at Newton on Ayr.

In 1981 he married Ruth Murray, a medical social worker and the couple went on to have four children, Joanna, 35, Timothy, 31, Rachel, 28 and Bethany, 22.

He spent six years in Ayr before being appointed as Director General of the Scripture Union in Glasgow.

From there, he went on to take on the role of International Chair of Scripture Union, working with 130 SU movements around the world and travelling widely to countries such as Ghana, Peru and the Philippines.

He has also served on many Church of Scotland councils and committees at both local and national level, including as convener of the Mission and Discipleship Council and serving on the Kirk’s governing body, the Council of Assembly.

Since 1996, he has been the minister at Palmerston Place, where he and Ruth, now grandparents, have strong links with the local community.

“I love being the minister for Palmerston Place,” he said. “The heart of everything we do is Jesus and that’s what excites me.

“The message of the Bible is still extraordinary, challenging and hopeful. I still teach the Bible and people want to hear it.”