St James Church Taunton

St. James is a thriving, town-centre church in the heart of Taunton, the county town of Somerset. We are a community shaped by a tradition of every-member ministry, collaborative leadership, and a deep commitment to prayer and service. With a well-maintained historic building, excellent on-site facilities, and sound finances, we are well-equipped to support meaningful ministry and growth.

In recent years, we have made a deliberate and exciting shift to place children and families at the heart of all we do took place, help by the presence of a dedicated and passionate curate. To insure that the good work would continue after his departure in 2024 we appointed a part-time Children and Families Worker, who focuses on engaging 0-11-year-olds on Sundays and supporting our regular All-Age Services. As a result, we have seen remarkable growth, with 20-30 children regularly attending Sunday worship.

Now, a key priority is to invest in our growing 11+ age group. This vibrant and developing ministry needs dedicated support, structure, and discipleship. A highly experienced couple has already begun to lay the foundations, and we are eager to see this work expand through the arrival of our first ever SWYM intern.

As an intern at St. James, you will be at the heart of an exciting season of growth. We are committed to investing in you—both stretching and supporting you—as you develop in ministry and leadership. Together, we will nurture the spiritual growth of our church family, with a special focus on the flourishing children’s and youth ministries.

You will have the opportunity to make a lasting impact by shaping and strengthening our youth group (School Year 6 and above), which is still in its early stages. Currently, the group meets on Sunday mornings, with additional Friday night social trips and events. Working alongside our Children’s Church Pastor and a team of dedicated volunteers, you will help develop a thriving and engaging youth ministry.

Throughout your time with us, you will be guided and supported by experienced mentors who will help you plan, reflect, and grow effectively. You will also receive training through SWYM, with dedicated time for conferences at Lee Abbey six times a year, as well as participation in a weekly cluster group. We believe this investment in your development will not only equip you for future ministry but will also be invaluable in shaping the youth work we build together.

St. James Church is situated in the heart of Taunton, the vibrant county town of Somerset. Our central location places us within walking distance of the town centre. Taunton is a bustling market town with excellent transport links, green spaces, and a strong sense of local identity. The church is positioned close to key landmarks, schools, and residential areas, making it easily accessible to families, young people, and the wider community. It’s a fantastic place to meet friends, enjoy shopping, cafés, leisure and sports facilities, and live music events.

In addition, the church offers numerous opportunities to serve and grow in various areas of ministry, including leading services (mainstream or All-Age), teaching and preaching, co-leading a Life Group or a Youth Alpha initiative, growing the ministry in our local faith school, serving the wider community through our partner organizations or developing a new initiative that matches your passion and skills.