Beth Ernest is a writer, pastor, spiritual director, former hospice chaplain, and long-ago travel clerk at the United Nations in Vienna.

Her writing explores the messiness and beauty of life in a world undergoing redemption. Her first novel, Mysterious Ways, tests the bounds of forgiveness.

Beth holds a Doctor of Ministry in the Sacred Art of Writing from Western Theological Seminary. She is represented by Don Pape of Pape Commons.

Read her blog on faith and writing at ernestlyspeaking.ink

short stories

“Back to Eden,” Faithful AI: Stories of Hope from 2045, edited by Elias Kruger and Brian Sigmon; AI and Faith (2024) 

Blue Christmas: Six Short Stories on the Theme of Christmas, Doctor of Ministry thesis, Western Theological Seminary (2024)

essays and articles

“Mark Ji Tianxiang,” in Modern Saints, edited by Gracie Morbitzer; Convergent Books (2023)

“In the Time of Darkness: Reflections from an Unemployed Pastor,” The Covenant Companion, Jan/Feb 2014

“Interim Ministry: More than an In-between,” The Covenant Companion (August 2009)

“No Longer Up for Adoption,” The Covenant Companion (July 2008)

“Life at the Kettle: Fourteen Days as a Salvation Army Bell Ringer,” The Social Cause Diet: Stories of Satisfying Acts of Service, edited by Gail Perry Johnson; Cupola Press (2008)

books awaiting publication

Mysterious Ways, a novel about forgiveness and the convoluted ways families both batter and love one another. Dreams come to life, disturbing Melody’s sleep and upsetting her dearly held grudges. Only her cat seems to understand the bigger picture.

Resistible Grace, a novel unpacking the questions of a conservative couple who learn their beloved son is gay. Pam wrestles with God, her husband, and her best friend who suspects it was those Harry Potter books or that internship in Chicago. Surely finding the right girl will cure Thom–won’t it?