Cllr Geoff Reid, who represents Eccleshill ward at Bradford Council, is going to be the first Liberal Democrat in eight years to take to the role.
He told Telegraph and Argus: "I'm grateful for the confidence of my group in putting me forward.
"It will be strange in some ways, because in the council chamber my seat directly faces the Lord Mayor, so it will seem very weird sitting there looking at my empty seat.
"In general terms, I'm looking forward to an interesting year. I have done some interesting things in my life but it is nice to be able to say: 'And now for something completely different'."
The retired Methodist minister worked in the Church for 39 years before retiring in 2009.
He is well-known for his role in helping subdue the 2001 Bradford race riots when he spent the night in Manningham with Canon George Moffat, as well as his interfaith work.
The pair have since worked to help both the churches and the city respond to the after-effects of the riots.
Cllr Reid said politics was "in our DNA" in the Methodist church.
