Investment Philosophy

The United Methodist Church has always believed that faith should show up in real life, not just in words. That belief shapes how we invest our money. Our investment approach is guided by the socially responsible principles found in the United Methodist Book of Discipline, helping ensure that our financial decisions reflect our values.

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, put it simply: “The gospel of Christ knows of no religion but social; no holiness but social holiness.” In other words, faith is meant to be lived out through action. Wesley expected Methodists to be deeply involved in their communities — feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, visiting those in prison, and helping people in need.

That same spirit is reflected in the Book of Discipline (¶717), which calls the church to invest intentionally in companies and funds that act responsibly and align with our Social Principles. These include supporting racial and gender justice, protecting human rights, avoiding sweatshop and forced labor, reducing harm, and caring for creation — including addressing climate change.

At the core of this approach is a simple belief: everything belongs to God, and we are responsible for how we care for what we’ve been given. The Social Principles also remind us that businesses don’t exist just for profit. They have responsibilities to workers, customers, communities, and the environment.

As Resolution 4071, Investment Ethics, makes clear, every investment decision has ethical consequences — not just financial ones, but social ones too.