Gordon Ramsay, 51, has been guiding the flock at Kippax in Belconnen's west for 18 years, a role that has also led him to chair the NSW and ACT board of the church's community services arm, UnitingCare.

Once a corporate lawyer in Sydney, Reverend Ramsay was described as one of the ACT's "foremost social justice advocates" in his finalist citation for the territory's Local Hero section of this year's Australian of the Year Awards.

It's the kind of community credibility political parties fall over themselves for, but how will the man of religion handle the rough, secular world of ACT politics?

Do you deliver all the sermons at Kippax Uniting Church?

I'm the one who makes sure they are done – I preach most weeks.

Will you be giving up your religious ministry before the October 2016 election?

I'm finishing my placement at Kippax at or around Easter next year. I wouldn't be anticipating being involved in the campaigning for those six months [before October] while I'm still continuing in the role here at Kippax.

How long have you been a Labor party member?

I signed up middle of last year; close to 18 months.

What are you hoping to achieve and focus on as an MLA that you can't now?

I've had a huge privilege in my background here being able to work for a better community and society, and what I'd be hoping if I'm elected is to continue the work but in a new way. How is it that people in Canberra can be valued, belong and have the opportunity to participate fully in society? I think we're a healthier society for everyone when the disadvantage experienced by some is relieved. I want to help build a community where everyone has a chance to build a decent life. Housing, access to services, and issues around ensuring there is employment for people, real bread-and-butter issues.

Are you worried you will have to support party policies that you don't agree with in conscience?

I think we actually work best when we work with collective decision making; that's the case in the church, in the board I chair and in the taskforces I work with. The idea of collective decision making and conversation and compromise is not something that's new to me. I am not the holder of all wisdom and I'm certainly not the holder of the only valid set of values.

Did you consider running as an independent?

No. I like to believe that I'm a team player and work better as part of a team rather than as an individual. For me, with my values of welcome, of inclusion, of justice, of equality for all people, that was a very strong alignment with ACT Labor. That and the opportunity to make a difference and some really warm encouragement from within the party helped me to make a decision. There's been an encouragement probably for 10 years now, people suggesting that this would be one of the possible next steps for me.

The ACT Labor Party has effectively led the nation in backing same-sex marriage – what's your view on that?

I've been a public advocate for marriage equality for a number of years, and I do that on the basis of the values that I find expressed in my faith. I know not all people of faith share that conclusion, but a lot of people of Christian faith do share that conclusion, and it's not despite faith, it's actually driven for many people because of it.

As a Christian leader, how do you reconcile that position with clear biblical statements condemning homosexuality (such as 1 Corinthians 6:9-10)?

I don't think its fair, even from a faith perspective let alone from a governmental perspective, that that passage has to apply or should apply to people who are in consensual, committed, loving same-gender relationships. That's not what I read that passage being about.

What are the similarities and differences between a sermon and a political speech?
The similarities are that when I speak, what you get is me, I hope you get an insight into my values, and the sort of society and sort of world that I hope we can create together. The differences, where I go with the congregation – on any typical Sunday there would be 200-250 people here – is within a framework of a particular faith and a particular setting that is not only communal but also helping them reflect on their own faith perspective, where I would see the stump speech, so-to-speak, maybe that's less inviting people to reflect on their own life but also see how it is that we can make Canberra not only the most liveable city for most people but for everyone here.

Would you like to be a minister of the state?

There's so many different bridges with lots of water to flow [before that]. The key thing for me is I've got particular skills and gifts and backgrounds I'd hope to use that as part of the team, and where that leads in years to come is probably best decided as part of that team, but I wouldn't want to hold back and not contribute to my absolute possible best.