James Shanks was born and grew up in Airdrie, Scotland, and having graduated from Glasgow University began his career as a Research Chemist in Surbiton during the war. After five years he responded to a call to the Christian Ministry and went to Edinburgh University and to Theological College for training. For the last forty-six years he has ministered in Congregational Churches in Ayr, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Cumbernauld, Barrhead, and Cathcart Glasgow. In the early seventies he held the offices of President of the Congregational Union of Scotland and Forward Planning Commissioner. For many years he was a regular broadcaster on Scottish Television. He is now in his seventy-third year.