It's OK...
James just likes to stir things up.
There's no reason you should have to put up with this. I can understand if you feel like you need to "be there" for him because he's having a hard time, but I think in this case it would just be opening a can of worms. Even if your friends think you're being heartless, you really need to cut this guy off. But yes, talk to your paster, or somebody, about what's going on--maybe someone can help the poor dude.