He then trained for ordination at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, an evangelical theological college,[5] after working as lay-assistant at St Aldate's Church for a year.

James served as Associate Vicar[4] at St John the Baptist, Harborne Heath, in the Diocese of Birmingham from 2002.

He was appointed Team Vicar of St Michael and All Angels, Pinhoe in the Diocese of Exeter in 2007, also serving as Diocesan Youth Advisor.

[7][8] In 2023, in a pastoral letter from the bishops of the Diocese of Exeter (including Grier), it was stated that they welcome "the proposed prayers of thanksgiving, dedication and God's blessing for same sex couples": this was in reaction to the Living in Love and Faith process that concluded with the suggestion that the Church of England would introduce a service of blessing for same sex couples.

[9] He is married to Rev Dr Liz Grier, an academic and musician, who is currently curate at St Mellitus College Plymouth.