James Fleming, recently took part in the lay readers training with Emmanuel Theological College but this wasn’t something James thought he would ever be doing when he first joined St Brides Church nearly 10 years ago. The training opened James’ eyes to preaching, leading worship and supporting others.
James, who works in technical auditing and training for a major domestic appliance company and is also a father to 3 adult children, was brought up as a Catholic but whilst a student at university, he became involved with the Church of England but it wasn’t until much later involve he began to explore what types of ministry were available and what best suited him.
Serving as a church warden at St Bride’s gave James his first taste of leading worship as his church is committed to get as many people as possible involved in leading worship and showcasing what ministry is available to them. This encouragement from his church was the first domino in James’ journey to ministry. The next major milestone in leading James in the lay reader training was when his sister sadly passed, James supported with the organising of his sister’s funeral service but even felt that it would be more of a personal and special service to remember his sister if he lead parts of the funeral service – this was a key moment in the lead up to James’ training as being able to have such a prominent role in his sister’s funeral meant so much for him and he felt that this could be something he could support others with when arranging the funeral of a loved one.
Shortly after his sister’s funeral, there was a Lifecall event in the Diocese of Liverpool which showcased all different forms of ministry and how you could get involved. Recalling on this event, James said “the event was really exciting for me, it gave me the chance to see what other ministries were available, and I knew I had to explore it further.” This event introduced James to lay reader ministry and the Directions course hosted by the Vocations team at the Diocese of Liverpool.
From there, James enrolled onto the Directions course, an introduction to different forms of ministry in the diocese. The support he received at this stage was invaluable, “Sam and the vocations team were marvellous and so encouraging every step of the way.”
From the Directions course, James felt that the lay reader training was the path for him, he was invited to attend a selection process for the training course, where he gave a presentation, and was chosen to begin reader training. He admits he didn’t know exactly what to expect, but quickly discovered a journey made up of three main strands.
The first was weekly classroom learning at Emmanuel Theological College. Every Thursday evening at St James’ House, he joined students from across the diocese in interactive sessions, exploring scripture, theology, and ministry.
The second strand involved formation days and residentials, where James met people from across the North West. These gave him the opportunity to develop practical skills in preaching, funerals, and pastoral ministry.
The third strand was his parish placement, which he carried out at St Bride’s with his vicar as his supervisor. “It was fantastic,” he says. “I got to see everything from a new perspective. Even though St Bride’s was my placement, it also meant branching out and visiting other churches in the benefice, which broadened my experience.”
James finished his training in July 2025, with his final assignments due later in the year. Looking back, he is struck not only by how much he learned, but how much he has grown.
“The support network is brilliant,” James explains. “There’s regular support from your tutor group, you’re with people who are all on the same journey, sharing the highs and lows. You also have sessions with your supervisor, and the vocations team are there for you too. You’re never on your own.”
James share that you do have to commit a fair bit of your time to the training but it is truly worth it for your self-development. Commenting on it, James said, “The outcome outweighs any concerns you might have. You grow so much, both in faith and in yourself. It gives you new opportunities to serve, and above all, it helps you become who you were meant to be.”
For anyone considering ministry, James has a simple message, “Start with the Directions course. It helps you narrow down your choices, and the diocese even offers short summer courses to give you a taste. College might feel overwhelming at first, but you soon get into a routine, and there’s plenty of support. If you feel that calling, I’d encourage you to explore it. Anyone can do it and you’ll be amazed by how much it changes you for the better.”
James’ story shows that becoming a reader isn’t about having all the answers or a perfect background. It’s about being open to God’s call and being willing to take the next step. With the support from colleges and the diocese, people can discover extraordinary opportunities to serve and grow in faith.
If you’ve ever felt a sense of calling, why not explore it further? Start with the Directions course or speak to the LifeCall team, who can help you discern the path that’s right for you. As James’ journey shows, it could open doors you never imagined and lead you closer to being who God has always meant you to be.
