His life was transformed after studying under famous Biblical Scholars at Harvard Divinity School. He grew up in rural Oklahoma. His experiences in seminary gave him a foundation of reality and religion that would help him in his work.

After serving as Curate at Church of the Redeemer in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, Ernest was Rector at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Marion, Massachusetts for 25 years. In 1969 he was the summer vicar in Hertfordshire, England which became the setting for his Novel, Samson’s Shadow.

Ernest is known for working for peace with justice. His service on the commission for peace and justice and chairing the commission on music and liturgy led to his crucial role in the consecration of the Right Reverend Barbara Harris as the first female bishop in the World.