A Christian financial advisor offers guidance on financial matters while incorporating faith-based principles into their planning approach. For those seeking a balance between sound financial strategies and alignment with Christian values, these advisors can help connect financial decisions with spiritual beliefs. They typically provide services like investment planning, budgeting, and retirement strategies, while keeping biblical teachings at the forefront.
To find a financial advisor who serves your area, try using SmartAsset’s free matching tool.
Benefits of Hiring a Christian Financial Advisor
When working with a financial advisor, you want to choose someone who understands you. This includes grasping your current financial situation, your goals for the future and, oftentimes, your values. A Christian financial advisor offers the same services as other advisors but can also connect with clients through shared faith.
David Sandhu, a Christian financial advisor at Wise Wealth in Fort Worth, Texas, says this can make it easier to facilitate financial conversations within a faith-based context. “Integrating faith and finance in our conversations — particularly when we discuss items such as stewardship, debt, retirement planning and how it relates to my clients’ ‘calling’ — are extremely important to people of faith,” Sandhu said. “Biblical financial guidance is rooted in wisdom from the Bible, and Scripture is the guiding principle behind the advice we give.”
A Christian financial advisor helps align your strategy with your values, not just financial outcomes. For example, one of your values may include charitable giving. A Christian financial advisor can help you create a financial plan that incorporates charitable giving within a biblical framework.
You may also feel more comfortable working with an advisor when you know they apply the same principles in their own financial lives. For instance, they may be able to share relatable examples of situations or scenarios in which they’ve used biblical principles to guide their path in building wealth.
What to Look for in a Christian Financial Advisor
There are a few things to consider when looking for a Christian financial advisor. The first is understanding the advisor’s investment strategy and overall philosophy.
“I would look for a Christian financial advisor that understands biblically responsible investing (BRI),” Sandhu says. “Many investors want to honor God through their investments and BRI is the solution, especially for socially and/or biblically aware individuals, which allows Christians the opportunity to align their faith with their investments.”
Biblically responsible investing (BRI) is similar to socially responsible investing (SRI) in that both prioritize values in investment decisions. While SRI focuses on sustainability, corporate governance or social justice, BRI uses moral and social principles to guide investment choices.
For example, an advisor who follows a BRI strategy might direct investors away from companies that profit from the sale of alcohol, tobacco or cannabis. In turn, they may encourage investments in companies that promote giving back to the community or that engage in practices that yield a tangible environmental or social benefit.
Beyond Christian values, make sure the advisor’s other investing characteristics and financial planning services align with your needs. For example, a financial advisor that prefers short-term investing might not work for you if your primary goal is to save for your impending retirement. In addition, if you want to set up a college fund for your children, focus on advisors that offer college planning.
In addition, be sure you sign up with an advisor who has a fiduciary duty to act in your best interest. All SEC-registered advisors fall into this category. Being a fiduciary ensures that your advisor is legally required to make decisions in your best interest, regardless of any other factors.
Christian Financial Advisor Certifications
Financial advisors can obtain various certifications. Christian financial advisors can opt to earn the certified kingdom advisor (CKA) through Kingdom Advisors, a Christian financial organization. To attain the CKA certification, advisors must:
- Hold an industry-approved designation, including CFP®, CPA, ChFC, EA, CFA, CIMA, AAMS, CLU, FIC, JD or have at least 10 years of experience in a specific CKA discipline, such as insurance, investments, financial planning, law or accounting.
- Complete the university-based CKA Educational Program and pass its associated exam.
- Offer one pastoral reference and at least two non-family client references who have known them for at least two years.
- Complete 10 hours of continuing education training each year to maintain the certification.
Advisors must complete multiple training modules. These span a range of topics, including stewardship, leadership, discipleship, investing and life planning. he training is intensive and takes approximately 60 hours to complete online.
Keep in mind that a financial advisor can still use faith-based values to shape their investment style without this certification. Not every Christian financial advisor may choose to obtain a CKA designation. The process can be time-consuming, and completing the coursework and exam through Kingdom Advisors starts at $999.
How to Find a Christian Financial Advisor
To find a Christian financial advisor, there are a number of online resources you can turn to. One option is the Kingdom Advisors’ Professional Directory Search tool. Another is Inspire Investing, which connects investors with Christian financial advisors who use a BRI approach. If neither option works, the National Association of Christian Financial Consultants (NACFC) can help you find advisors..
You may also be able to connect with a Christian financial advisor by asking for referrals from your pastor or other leadership at your church. Also consider asking fellow church members, coworkers, friends and relatives.
When seeking referrals, ask about their personal experience working with the advisor. Ask what they like or don’t like about them, or whether they’ve ever had any issues in working with them. Hearing from someone you trust can help you decide whether the advisor is a good fit for managing your money.
If you’re open to financial advisors who don’t only abide by Christian values, consider SmartAsset’s free online matching tool. By using this, you’ll be paired with up to financial advisors who serve your area, with the final choice of whom to work with being completely up to you.
Bottom Line
Ultimately, finding a Christian financial advisor follows the same process as finding any advisor. Keep your ultimate needs and values at the core of your search, as they’ll guide you to a good match. Remain open-minded and interview multiple advisors to find the best fit. Beyond that, be sure to ask each financial advisor many questions so you can make an informed decision.
Tips for Choosing a Financial Advisor
- It can be tough to know where to start when you’re looking for a financial advisor, Christian or otherwise. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
- When choosing an advisor, it’s important to vet them properly to ensure they’re the right choice. Key things to consider include whether the advisor is fee-based or fee-only and what type of specialties they have. It’s also important to know whether they’ve ever been subject to any disciplinary or legal action.
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