Whilst on the island of Tiree Mr Christie was ordained an elder of the Church of Scotland.
In 1990, Mr Christie was ordained and inducted as minister at Hyndland Parish Church in the Presbytery of Glasgow where he served for 14 years.
Mr Christie also served as Vice Convener of the Kirk's Board of World Mission's Middle East and North Africa Committee.
Alongside Christie, William D. Brown, of Murrayfield, John L. McPake from Mossneuk in East Kilbride, and C. Peter White, of Sandyford, Glasgow were nominated.
[6] Upon becoming Moderator his full title became the Right Reverend John Cairns Christie BSc BD.