Leading experts from across the denominational spectrum offer wisdom on socially responsible investing
Congregations and religious institutions are asking how to invest in their future and grow their endowed and invested funds, while also focusing on their values. This book will help religious leaders better understand all of the many issues and opportunities involved in making their investment choices reflect their faith-in-action. A unique collaboration of voices from multiple Christian denominations share their experiences, perspectives, and resources, making this book an invaluable guide for church leaders who want to feel more informed and empowered.
Topics include an explanation of the differences between SRI and ESG; crafting an investment policy; shareholder engagement; areas of investment such as diversity and women's empowerment; human rights; human trafficking; climate change; social justice; community engagement; and more. Faithful Investing offers action steps for church finance directors to make the world, nation, and their local communities healthier, more vibrant, and more equitable.
Contributors: James W. Murphy, Byrd Bonner, Tim Brennan, Sister Patricia Daly, The Rev. Séamus P. Finn, Bobbi Hannigan, Lisa Hinds, Joseph M. Kinard, Kathryn McCloskey, The Rev. Aimee Moiso, Mark A. Regier, Greg Rousos, Carsten W. Sierck, The Rev. William Somplatsky-Jarman.
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"Faithful Investing provides thoughtful insights and practical guidance from experts who daily navigate the multifaceted labyrinth of faith-based investing. The variety of approaches will assure congregations, organizations, and individuals at all levels of expertise and understanding that there are ways to synergize their resources and their heart-felt desires as followers of Jesus in ways that witness to the local, national, and global communities of which we are a part."
—Marcia Shetler, Executive Director/CEO Ecumenical Stewardship Center
"This volume brings together essential information and important insights from across the ecumenical community that individuals and institutions in the Church can use as they seek to act consistently with their faith commitments in making decisions about financial assets and investments. Church investors can, with some study and thoughtful, prayerful consideration, make faithful choices about assets and investments – and that there is no single answer: different investors of faith can come up with different decisions of faith. Give thanks for what Jim Murphy and the contributors have given us!"
—Bill McKeown, member, Episcopal Church's Task Force on Theology of Money
"Faithful Investing shows us just how far communities of faith have come. Many of us remember how radical the very idea of socially responsible investing seemed to more than a few church folk just a few decades ago. Not so long ago, the idea that there could be a spirituality of investment strategy would have seemed a contradiction in terms to many. Though this useful book is not a history of that evolution, it is a tool that faith communities can use to find their place as part of it."
—Barbara Crafton, author
"Faithful Investing provides a wealth of information, resources and context on the evolving opportunities that faith-based organizations have to invest in ways that more closely align with their respective missions and values. I highly recommend it for stewards of capital looking to navigate this important but sometimes complex path."
—Meredith Jenkins, Chief Investment Officer, Trinity Church Wall Street
"I invite every Rector, Minister, Pastor, Finance Chair, and Investment Chair in charge of a congregation’s endowment to buy and read Faithful Investing. This book will help them learn about SRI (Socially Responsible Investing) and ESG (Environmental Social Governance). Then they’ll be able to examine their church’s endowment policy and determine how it is making an impact regarding compassion and justice, based on Christian values. They can do this without neglecting their fiduciary responsibility for both growth and return. I learned a great deal about SRI and ESG! I am thankful to Jim Murphy and his fellow authors for this outstanding book."
—Charles Cloughen, Jr., author of One Minute Stewardship: Creative Ways to Talk about Money in Church
Foreword v
Donald V. Romanik
Introduction vii
James W. Murphy
1. Basic Concepts and Terms
Greg Rousos, William Somplatsky-Jarman, and Aimee Moiso
2. What This Means for My Congregation/Organization
Greg Rousos
3. Is Perfect the Enemy of the Good? Starting Socially
Responsible Investing Incrementally
Kathryn McCloskey
4. Repairing the World One Company at a Time—
Shareholder Advocacy
Byrd Bonner
5. Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity
Carsten W. Sierck
6. Dignity of Every Human Being—Human Rights, Human
Trafficking, and Investing
Séamus P. Finn
7. Investor Action on Climate Change
Patricia Daly and Tim Brennan
8. Creating Positive Change: Impact Investing, Community
Development, and the Rethinking of Returns
Mark A. Regier
9. Inspiring Donors through Investing with Values
James W. Murphy
10. Taking Decisive Action, One Step at a Time
James W. Murphy
11. Individual Investor Decisions and Considerations
Kathryn McCloskey
Introduction to Case Studies
James W. Murphy
Case Study 1 Lessons of Collaboration on Socially
Responsible Investing
James W. Murphy
Case Study 2 Same Denomination, Very Different Choices
James W. Murphy
Case Study 3 Values Meet Reality: A Roman Catholic
Institutional Approach
Bobbi Hannigan
Case Study 4 Denominational SRI Issues
Joseph M. Kinard and James W. Murphy
Case Study 5 Positive Investment Overview: Reformed
University in Colombia
Greg Rousos
Case Study 6 Sustainable Financing
Patricia Daly
Case Study 7 A Reflection on Mission-Based, Faith-Based
Investing at The Riverside Church, NYC
Lisa Hinds
Introduction to Resources/Appendix
James W. Murphy
Samples of Investment Policy Statements
Types of Planned Gifts
Denominational Resources and Foundations
Organizations That Can Help You Get Involved in Socially
Responsible Investing and Encourage Giving
Contributors
