Engagement:
Biblically Responsible Investing does not stop at ownership. The second component of a comprehensive approach is engagement. Engagement recognizes that ownership carries responsibility, not just rights.
When you own shares of a company, you are an owner of that business. Even a small ownership stake entitles you to be heard. For many years, shareholder engagement has been used effectively to advance ideas contrary to biblical ethics. The relative absence of Christian voices in these conversations has contributed to the moral drift we have seen across corporate culture, including the expansion of LGBTQ activism, abortion advocacy, critical race theory, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
That pattern has begun to shift. In recent years, a growing number of companies have retreated from some of these initiatives. These changes did not happen by accident or sudden conviction. They occurred because shareholders applied sustained, consistent pressure. When Christians speak biblical truth clearly and respectfully from positions of influence, the effects can be significant.
Engagement does not require confrontation or theatrics. In its simplest form, it may involve contacting a company’s investor relations department by phone or email to raise questions or express concerns. These teams exist to communicate with shareholders and are often more receptive than many assume.
More formal engagement can include filing shareholder resolutions, which may be voted on at annual shareholder meetings and can provide an opportunity for shareholders or their representatives to address company leadership directly.
For most investors, the most practical form of engagement is partnering with an advisory firm or investment manager that shares their biblical convictions. These firms vote proxies and engage companies on behalf of their clients. Where capital is placed matters because proxy votes follow the manager.
Not every firm that presents itself as Christian engages companies from a biblical worldview. Many companies outsource proxy voting to third parties, allowing someone else to decide how votes are cast. In some cases, shareholder votes may support causes that directly conflict with biblical ethics. Discernment and due diligence are part of faithful stewardship.
At Oakstreet Financial, we help faith-driven Americans Invest on Purpose. We build a plan that brings confidence and peace. If you would like to explore whether this approach is right for you, we invite you to start a conversation with us.
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This content and the Endorse, Engage, and Exclude framework referenced here are adapted from Robert Netzly’s Biblically Responsible Investing: On Wall Street as It Is in Heaven and are applied within Oakstreet Financial’s broader stewardship-focused investment process. Robert’s book is available at https://canonpress.com/products/biblically-responsible-investing-a-wake-up-call-to-christians-everywhere.