United Methodist Church 'above average' in Good Intentions study but could do better: report
The United Methodist Church entities scored 'above average' compared to other faith communities when it comes to investing in ways that are good for the world, according to FaithInvest's Good Intentions 2026 study.
However, the Church should boost its values-based investing, says a news story in UM News, the official news agency of The United Methodist Church, adding: 'All those surveyed, including The United Methodist Church, need to do more, according to the report.'
The UM News article goes on to explain that Good Intentions 2026 graded 275 investment policies in 10 categories on a 1 to 5 scale, making 50 the highest score possible.
The 25 United Methodist entities surveyed, which included Wespath, scored above average compared to other faith traditions, achieving 24.56 out of the possible 50.
The Episcopal Church was second of the Protestant denominations at 21.12, followed by the United Churches of Christ (21.09) and four others.
The Good Intentions 2026 study found:
No organisations reached the top level of 40- 50 points.
50% (138 organisations) scored in the 'basic effort' level.
39 % (107 organisations) scored the lowest level of minimal faith-consistent investing content
'There’s this belief that you can’t invest and get a good return, and (also) honour your faith, traditions, values and beliefs,' said Dave Zellner, Executive Chair of FaithInvest and previously the Chief Investment Officer at The United Methodist Church's Wespath Benefits and Investments for 27 years. 'What (FaithInvest) is trying to demonstrate is that you can do both.'
He added: 'We saw clear evidence that church teaching and values are influencing investment policies. The opportunity now is to take the next step and ensure those values are reflected consistently throughout the investment process.'
United Methodist investments strongly reflect church teaching, said Catherine Devitt, co-author of the study along with Dave Zellner.
She added: 'The best policies do not just nod at values in a general way. “They reflect Methodism’s own language: the Book of Discipline, the Social Principles and the Wesleyan call to social holiness and care for the most vulnerable.'
United Methodists do well in avoiding investments in tobacco, weapons and gambling, but more could be invested in initiatives seeking positive benefits such as affordable housing and clean energy, for example.
'John Wesley’s foundational first principle of the three simple rules to "do no harm" is well established,' Catherine Devitt said. 'The habit of doing active good is still growing.'
Read more on the UM News website.
