Since the 1960s, our denomination and its predecessors have built a solid record expressing our ethics in our investment decisions. United Methodist agencies and conferences fought against the manufacture of napalm and were involved in the social-justice issues raised by religious shareholders. While the issue of economic sanction s against apartheid in South Africa has engaged us more than any other, United Methodist agencies, affiliated institutions, conferences, congregations, and individual members have brought the Church's Christian witness to business in relation to numerous issues, including employment discrimination, environmental preservation, militarism, nuclear weapons production, and infant formula abuse. We affirm that all financial resources of the Church and its members are God-given resources, to be held in trust for use or investment in ways that promote the reign of God on earth. Further, we recognize that every investment has ethical dimensions.
Financial investments have consequences that are both fiscal and social.
We believe social justice and social usefulness must be given consideration together with financial security and financial yield in the investment of funds by United Methodist Church agencies and affiliated institutions, and by congregations as well as individual United Methodists. Socially responsible investing by Christian institutions and individuals must take account of both sets of considerations. Our Church's witness through investments has taken three forms, each of which may be employed with the others. GBCS BOR page 427 1. Avoidance by Divestment .