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Dr Steven Croft will succeed Bishop Jack Nicholls, who retired in July 2008, as Bishop of Sheffield.

"I was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire and I lived there until I was 19. I was ordained quite young - I've been a curate, a vicar in Halifax for about nine years, head of a theological college training Church of England and Methodist clergy, and for the last four years I've been Archbishop's Missioner.

"That involved travelling across the country encouraging what the Church of England calls "fresh expressions of church" - new forms of church.

"I've been a Christian since I was 15 or 16 and I was ordained in 1983.

"I have seen a lot of changes over that time, and hopefully I've helped a few to happen as well.

"The church is navigating its way through a lot of change, and that means we have to hold on to our traditions firmly and not let go of them - but also evolve with the times so we continue to serve the whole of the country that we're meant to be engaging with."

Dr Steven Croft, soon to be Bishop of Sheffield

What's your assessment of the health of the church in this country at the minute? 

"I've travelled across every single diocese of the Church of England in the last four years, and after that time I'm incredibly hopeful.

"I've seen interesting things happening in every part of the country - new communities being formed, I think the traditional church is recovering confidence and people are realising that there's a need for a distinctive Christian voice in our country, and that ALL communities need care and concern shown to them by the church.

How important is the church in South Yorkshire?

"I am thrilled to be coming to the diocese of Sheffield, and South Yorkshire, and I think it means a great deal that the church has managed to preserve a presence in every single community in the county.

"So I think the church is extremely important both for the past and the present and the future of society.

"I've visited Sheffield over the years and I have friends and others I know here. I'm looking forward to getting to know the county over the next few years - not just the churches but also the people in the communities so I can get as many different perspectives on life here as possible.

"I'll have my L-plates on for a couple of years, but I'm very much looking forward to it."

There's quite a close connection with Radio Sheffield isn't there?

"Yes there is - Andy Giddings who works on BBC Radio Sheffield's sport team is my second cousin!"

What will be your biggest challenge?

"I have a great deal of learning to do, I have to get to know a big diocese with lots of people.

"I'm looking forward to helping the church continue to engage with the whole of society - the Church of England combines lots of different traditions - and it's a matter of how to grow and draw other people to the Christian faith."

Dr Steven Croft

Do you think the financial instability (at the time of writing, autumn 2008) and impending unemployment will make a difference to people's faith?

"I went to Halifax as vicar in 1987, and it was the last point that was most similar to this in terms of recession, unemployment from large industries closing down and so on. And I found then that the church's message was even more needed and even more appreciated by people."

How else will you attract people back to the church?

"I'm concerned that all parish churches must be welcoming - finding ways to welcome children, young people and adults. I'm also concerned that we don't sit back and wait for people to come to us, but we also go to where people are... in pubs, clubs, shopping centres, gyms, wherever people gather - and actually sit with them, learn from them, be with them and try and grow church in new ways.

"So people can expect to see me out and about very, very soon."

Dr Steven Croft will take his position as Bishop of Sheffield in Spring 2008. He was speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield's Dan Johnson.