I keep an article by Karen Manczko, the Foundation’s Wespath Institutional Investments contact person, entitled “What John Wesley’s ‘Three Simple Rules’ Teach Us about Values Aligned Investing.” Wespath, formally the General Board of Pensions for the United Methodist Church, manages most of the assets for The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas.
We all know the rules…..they are ‘simple’ as Rev. Wesley described, and there are only three: 1. Do no harm. 2. Do good. 3. Stay in love with God.
Wespath and the Foundation’s philosophy on our fund investments is guided by the Book of Discipline. Simply put, we invest in companies who are socially responsible and with companies whose business practices align with the values and mission of United Methodists. At the same time, it seeks the competitive returns necessary to support the Church's missions. Wesley provided countless lessons relevant to us as investors and partners in mission.
Rule 1. DO NO HARM
This rule provides an important foundation by highlighting what not to do. You can rest assured that all the money the churches and institutions invest with us is invested in socially responsible ways. None of the money at the Foundation is invested in businesses and industries that make money from alcohol, tobacco, gambling, adult entertainment, military, or private prisons.
Rule 2: DO GOOD
Wesley refers to this rule as actively engaging in acts of kindness, charity, and service to others. It encourages people to seek opportunities that make a positive difference in the world and help those in need. At the Foundation, this rule is played out in so many ways, including our thriving grants program, which awarded over 1.52 million in 2023, as well as clergy and laity professional development programs, and mission trips.
Rule 3: STAY IN LOVE WITH GOD
This is the rule where we ‘find our moral direction, wisdom, courage, and strength to live faithfully from the One who authored us, called us, sustains us, and sends us into the world as witnesses who daily practice the way of living with Jesus.’ For the Foundation, not only do we award grants helping with local community ministries, we seek partnerships with churches to help positively impact the greatest number of people.
Over 170 churches and institutions, along with the Arkansas Annual Conference, have placed their money with The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas with the expectation of us to being good stewards of those funds. We would love to visit your church and share about our services and how we apply Wesley’s rules to our work every day supporting Methodist ministries in Arkansas.
Thank you for your faith and trust in the Foundation. We do not take this relationship lightly.
Blessings, Wayne
