Introduction: Aligning Faith and Finance
In today’s financial landscape, many Christian charities, churches, and religious orders are asking a crucial question: How can we invest our money in a way that reflects our Christian values?
This is where Christian ethical investment comes in - an approach that not only avoids harm but actively seeks to honour the Gospel in every financial decision. At Epworth Investment Management, we’ve specialised in helping trustees and treasurers answer that question faithfully and confidently.
What Is Christian Ethical Investment?
Christian ethical investment is the practice of aligning your investment strategy with Christian beliefs. That means:
- Avoiding activities that conflict with Biblical teaching
- Supporting businesses that contribute to justice, sustainability, and human dignity
- Using shareholder power to influence companies towards more ethical practices
In short, it’s investing with integrity and purpose, rooted in Christian theology and values.
Key Elements of Christian Ethical Investment
1. Ethical Exclusions
We begin by screening out sectors and activities that are incompatible with Christian ethics. These typically include:
- Fossil fuel extraction and coal mining
- Tobacco and adult entertainment
- High-interest lending and gambling
- Weapons manufacturing, particularly indiscriminate systems
- Companies with poor records on human rights or child labour
This is not a generic ESG screen - it’s a theologically informed process shaped by decades of experience.
Read more about our ethical investment policy
2. Positive Stewardship
Where economically possible, we seek out companies that have positive ethics characteristics. These include firms with:
- Strong climate commitments (e.g. science-based targets)
- Ethical supply chain practices
- Transparent governance structures
- Commitment to worker rights, gender equality, and community impact
Positive screening helps align investment with Christian calls to stewardship, justice, and care for creation.
3. Active Shareholder Engagement
We believe Christian investors must speak out. Through active engagement, we:
- Vote at company AGMs in line with Christian principles
- Challenge corporate behaviour on issues like climate change, conflict, and executive pay
- Join investor coalitions to increase pressure for change
- Engage directly with company leadership and policy bodies
Where engagement fails, we consider divestment as a last resort.
Explore how we use engagement and voting as tools for ethical change here
Why It Matters for Trustees and Treasurers
As a charity trustee or church treasurer, your role involves both:
- Fiduciary responsibility – ensuring sound financial management
- Moral responsibility – ensuring your money reflects your mission
Increasingly, charity regulators and auditors are expecting these two responsibilities to align. Investing ethically doesn’t mean lower returns - it means making values-driven decisions with confidence and transparency.
Download our guide: Investing for Charities and Churches
Biblical and Theological Foundations
Christian ethical investment draws on scripture, tradition, and modern social teaching:
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves… defend the rights of the poor and needy.”(Proverbs 31:8–9)
We also look to documents like:
- Mensuram Bonam – Catholic teaching on faith-consistent investment
- Methodist JACEI – Methodist ethics and investment guidelines
- Laudato Si’ – Pope Francis’ call for ecological and social stewardship
Common Questions from Trustees
Does ethical investing hurt performance?
Not necessarily. Many ethical funds match or exceed the long-term performance of their conventional peers. We believe you don’t have to choose between values and value.
How do we align our investment policy with our mission?
We can help you draft or update your investment policy statement to reflect your ethical goals and regulatory responsibilities.
What if we already invest with another provider?
We’re happy to conduct an ethical audit of your current investments and advise on next steps.
Conclusion: Investing Faithfully, Acting Responsibly
Christian ethical investment isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a natural outworking of your mission. As a trustee or treasurer, you have the opportunity to use your investments not just to grow capital, but to grow the Kingdom.
If your church, charity, or order is ready to take the next step, we’re here to help.
Get in touch today to find out how we can support your ethical investment journey.