For Christians who want their investments to reflect their faith, Christian mutual funds offer a way to grow wealth while avoiding companies whose practices conflict with biblical values. But which funds actually deliver both solid returns and genuine faith-based screening? This comprehensive review examines the best Christian mutual funds available today—comparing their screening methodologies, performance track records, expense ratios, and investment approaches so you can make an informed decision about where to invest God’s resources.
What Are Christian Mutual Funds?
Christian mutual funds—also called biblically responsible investing (BRI) funds or faith-based funds—are investment vehicles that apply biblical screening criteria to their portfolio construction. Like conventional mutual funds, they pool money from many investors and invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other securities. The key difference is that Christian funds screen out companies whose business practices conflict with biblical values and, in many cases, actively seek companies whose operations align with Christian principles.
The screening process typically involves two complementary approaches. Negative screening (also called exclusionary screening) removes companies involved in activities that conflict with biblical teaching—most commonly abortion, pornography, gambling, tobacco, alcohol production, and in some cases weapons manufacturing, cannabis, and corporate advocacy for causes contrary to traditional Christian values. Positive screening goes further by actively seeking companies that demonstrate ethical business practices, community investment, environmental stewardship, and other qualities that reflect biblical principles of justice, care for creation, and human flourishing.
The faith-based investing market has grown significantly in recent years. From roughly five Christian mutual funds available in 2009, the market has expanded to over 100 funds today, with faith-based mutual funds and ETFs collectively surpassing $130 billion in assets by mid-2024—a 14% increase over just 15 months. This growth reflects increasing demand from the more than 200 million Christians in the United States who want their investments to align with their convictions.
How Faith-Based Screening Works
Understanding how Christian funds screen investments is essential for choosing the right fund for your values. Not all Christian funds screen the same way, and the differences matter.
Most Christian fund families employ dedicated screening committees that meet quarterly to review and revise screening criteria and restricted securities lists. Full-time analysts monitor holdings daily to ensure compliance with biblical standards. The screening process typically uses data from specialized research providers—including Bloomberg Corporate Action Tool, ISS Governance DataDesk, and MSCI ESG Manager—supplemented by proprietary research specific to each fund family’s biblical criteria.
The strictness of screening varies considerably between fund families. Some funds apply relatively narrow screens that remove only companies directly involved in a handful of prohibited activities—resulting in portfolios that closely resemble conventional funds (GuideStone, for example, excludes only about 15 of the 500 companies in the S&P 500 index). Other funds apply much broader screens that exclude companies based on corporate philanthropy, political advocacy, and lifestyle marketing in addition to direct business operations—resulting in more concentrated portfolios that differ significantly from conventional benchmarks.
Common screening categories across most Christian fund families include abortion and abortifacient drugs (companies that produce, distribute, or provide financial support for abortion services), pornography and adult entertainment (production, distribution, and related media), gambling (casino operations, lottery systems, and online gambling platforms), alcohol (production and major distribution, though some funds allow companies where alcohol represents a small percentage of revenue), tobacco (cigarette and smokeless tobacco manufacturing and retail), and human rights violations (child labor, forced labor, and exploitative practices).
Some fund families extend screening to additional categories: cannabis cultivation and distribution, corporate support for LGBTQ+ activism (particularly among more conservative evangelical funds), stem cell research, controversial weapons and defense contracting, predatory lending, and violent entertainment. The specific categories and thresholds vary by fund family, making it important to review each fund’s screening methodology before investing.
GuideStone Funds: The Largest Christian Fund Family
GuideStone Funds is the nation’s largest faith-based mutual fund family, managing approximately $23 billion in assets as of December 2025. Founded in 1918 to serve retired Southern Baptist pastors, GuideStone has grown into a comprehensive investment platform offering equity, fixed income, asset allocation, target-date, and alternative investment funds—all screened according to Christian values.
Screening Approach. GuideStone screens out companies publicly recognized for involvement in alcohol production and distribution, tobacco manufacturing and retail, gambling operations, pornography and adult entertainment, and abortion services and support. Their approach is notable for its relative precision: GuideStone’s equity index fund screens the S&P 500 and excludes only about 15 companies, demonstrating that faith-based screening can maintain broad diversification while honoring biblical principles. This makes GuideStone a strong option for investors who want values alignment without dramatically reducing their investment universe.
Key Fund Categories. GuideStone offers three main fund types. Select funds invest directly in stocks, bonds, and other securities, providing exposure to specific asset classes. Asset allocation funds combine multiple select funds into diversified portfolios appropriate for different risk tolerances. Target-date funds automatically adjust their asset allocation as investors approach retirement, becoming more conservative over time.
Notable Strengths. GuideStone’s primary advantages include its massive asset base (which helps keep costs competitive), its Southern Baptist institutional backing, its broad fund lineup covering virtually every asset class, and its relatively moderate screening approach that maintains diversification. Their infrastructure also supports 403(b) retirement plans, making them particularly accessible for church and ministry employees.
For a detailed analysis of GuideStone’s complete fund lineup, performance history, and suitability for different investor profiles, see our GuideStone Funds review.
Timothy Plan: The Pioneer of Biblical Screening
Timothy Plan holds the distinction of being the first mutual fund family to apply pro-life and pro-family screening standards, launching in 1994. Based in Maitland, Florida, Timothy Plan currently offers 12 mutual funds and 4 ETFs, all screened according to what is widely regarded as the strictest biblical criteria in the industry.
Screening Approach. Timothy Plan’s screening is notably comprehensive, covering abortion and pro-life issues, pornography and sexual immorality, gambling operations, alcohol and tobacco production, child labor violations, support for designated terrorist nations, and entertainment and lifestyle advocacy contrary to biblical values. Timothy Plan continuously monitors holdings to ensure companies don’t change policies after initial investment, and their screening committee conducts quarterly reviews of all criteria and restricted securities.
Key Funds. Timothy Plan’s mutual fund lineup spans major asset classes. Their equity offerings include the Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund (TAAGX/TCAGX), Large/Mid Cap Growth Fund (TLGAX/TLGCX), Small Cap Value Fund (TPLNX/TSVCX), Large/Mid Cap Value Fund (TLVAX/TLVCX), and International Fund (TPIAX/TPICX). Balanced options include the Strategic Growth Fund (TSGAX/TSGCX), Conservative Growth Fund (TCGAX/TCVCX), Defensive Strategies Fund (TPDAX/TPDCX), and Growth & Income Fund (TGIAX). Fixed income options include the High Yield Bond Fund (TPHAX/TPHCX) and Fixed Income Fund (TFIAX/TFICX). The specialty Israel Common Values Fund (TPAIX/TPCIX) invests in Israeli companies and companies with significant Israel operations.
Expense Ratios. Timothy Plan’s expense ratios reflect the cost of their intensive screening process. The Growth & Income Fund charges 1.34%, the Defensive Strategies Fund 1.24%, and the Strategic Growth Fund 0.94%. These are higher than passive index funds but within the range of actively managed funds generally.
Notable Strengths. Timothy Plan’s primary advantage is its unwavering commitment to comprehensive biblical screening—investors who prioritize thorough values alignment over cost minimization will find Timothy Plan’s approach appealing. Their 30-year track record also provides extensive performance data for evaluation.
Ave Maria Mutual Funds: Catholic Values Investing
Ave Maria Mutual Funds is the largest Catholic-oriented investing firm in the United States, managing approximately $3.8 billion in assets as of September 2025. For Catholic investors seeking funds that align specifically with the moral and social teachings of the Catholic Church, Ave Maria provides a distinctive option that goes beyond general Christian screening.
Screening Approach. Ave Maria screens according to Catholic Church teachings, which includes all the standard Christian exclusions (abortion, pornography, gambling) plus additional criteria specific to Catholic moral theology—most notably, companies involved in contraception. The Catholic Advisory Board, composed of practicing Catholics with expertise in both theology and finance, guides screening decisions and ensures alignment with magisterial teaching.
Key Funds. Ave Maria’s lineup includes the flagship Rising Dividend Fund (AVEDX), which focuses on companies with consistent dividend growth histories and charges an expense ratio of 0.90%. The Value Fund (AVEMX) employs a traditional value investing approach at a 0.97% expense ratio. Additional offerings include the Growth Fund (AVEGX), Bond Fund (AVEFX), World Equity Fund (AVEWX), and newer concentrated options—the Growth Focused Fund (AVEAX) and Value Focused Fund (AVERX).
Performance. Ave Maria’s track record has been competitive. The Value Fund (AVEMX) has delivered approximately 12.09% annualized returns over 10 years, while the Rising Dividend Fund (AVEDX) has returned approximately 11.98% annualized over the same period. The Value Fund posted a notable 14.58% return year-to-date in 2025. These results demonstrate that Catholic values screening has not prevented strong long-term performance.
Notable Strengths. Ave Maria’s Catholic-specific screening, strong long-term performance record, and specialized focus make it the clear choice for Catholic investors. The Rising Dividend Fund’s focus on dividend growth stocks also provides a natural income orientation that appeals to retirees and income-focused investors.
Eventide Funds: Impact-Focused Biblical Investing
Eventide Asset Management, founded in 2008 and based in Boston, manages approximately $6.4 billion in assets as of mid-2025. Eventide’s approach is distinctive in the Christian fund space: rather than focusing primarily on what to exclude, Eventide emphasizes investing in companies that actively contribute to human flourishing—what they call “investing that makes the world rejoice.”
Screening Approach. Eventide employs a three-part framework: Avoid companies involved in harmful activities (abortion, pornography, alcohol and tobacco manufacturing, gambling, and ungodly entertainment), Embrace companies creating genuine value for all stakeholders (customers, employees, communities, and the environment), and Engage constructively with portfolio companies to encourage positive change. This “Avoid, Embrace, and Engage” methodology places greater emphasis on the positive impact of investments than most competing Christian funds.
Key Funds. The flagship Eventide Gilead Fund (ETILX for Class I, ETGLX for Class N) is a mid-cap growth fund that has attracted the most attention and assets. The Dividend Growth Fund (ETIDX, Class I) invests at least 80% of assets in dividend-paying growth companies. The Healthcare & Life Sciences Fund focuses on the healthcare sector with at least 80% of assets in healthcare companies. The Balanced Fund maintains at least 25% in growth equities and 25% in fixed income.
Performance. Eventide’s performance has been noteworthy. The Gilead Fund (ETILX) posted a 23.8% year-to-date return in 2025, outperforming its category average by 17.6 percentage points. With an expense ratio of 1.18%, it is more expensive than index alternatives but has justified its fees through strong active management results. Eventide also offers a free screening tool at GoodInvestor.com that allows any investor to check individual stocks against biblical screening criteria.
For a comprehensive analysis of Eventide’s investment philosophy, fund performance, and suitability, see our Eventide Asset Management review.
Praxis Mutual Funds: Mennonite Values Investing
Praxis Mutual Funds, managed by Praxis Investment Management (a subsidiary of Everence Financial), brings a Mennonite and Anabaptist perspective to faith-based investing. This tradition emphasizes peace, justice, community impact, and ethical stewardship alongside traditional Christian screening criteria.
Screening Approach. Praxis combines standard Christian exclusionary screens with a distinctive emphasis on peace and justice issues—reflecting the Anabaptist tradition’s commitment to nonviolence and community welfare. Their screening is less focused on culture-war issues than some evangelical fund families and more focused on economic justice, environmental stewardship, and corporate accountability.
Key Funds. Praxis offers both index-based and actively managed options. The Praxis Value Index Fund (MVIIX, Class I) and Praxis Growth Index Fund (MMDEX, Class I) provide low-cost index exposure with faith-based screening. The Praxis Small Cap Index Fund (MMSCX/MMSIX) covers smaller companies. The Praxis Impact Bond Fund (MIIIX, Class I) offers fixed income exposure. The Genesis Balanced Portfolio (MBAPX, Class A) and Genesis Growth Portfolio (MGAFX) provide actively managed multi-asset options with competitive expense ratios—the Genesis Balanced Portfolio charges approximately 0.47-0.49%.
Notable Strengths. Praxis stands out for its combination of index-based investing (which keeps costs low) with faith-based screening, its distinctive peace-and-justice emphasis, and its competitive expense ratios. For investors who share Anabaptist values or who prefer a less culture-war-oriented approach to Christian investing, Praxis offers a compelling option.
Christian Brothers Investment Services (CBIS): Institutional Catholic Investing
Christian Brothers Investment Services manages approximately $12.8 billion across its mutual fund platform, making it one of the largest faith-based fund families by assets. CBIS offers 13 mutual funds—9 stand-alone funds and 4 Magnus allocation fund-of-funds—all screened according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Socially Responsible Investment Guidelines.
Key Funds. The CRI Equity Index Fund (CRQSX) is CBIS’s largest fund with $4.6 billion in net assets, an impressively low expense ratio of just 0.09%, and a one-year return of 21.59% as of October 2025. CBIS also offers international equity (large-cap and small-cap), fixed income (ultra-short, short duration, core, and opportunistic), and the Magnus multi-asset allocation funds. The investment minimum is $5,000 for most funds.
Performance. In recent reporting, 80% of all CBIS active funds placed above the median in their peer categories, and 40% of active funds ranked in the top third. These results, combined with the CRI Equity Index Fund’s near-zero expense ratio, make CBIS particularly attractive for institutional and high-net-worth Catholic investors.
Performance: Do Christian Funds Keep Up?
The most common concern about faith-based investing is whether screening out companies hurts returns. The evidence is reassuring: multiple academic studies and real-world track records demonstrate that Christian funds can match or exceed conventional benchmarks over meaningful time periods.
A study by Adams and Ahmed found no statistically significant difference in mean annual returns between faith-based funds and the overall market. Research from the Christian Investment Forum showed that faith-based equity funds actually outperformed their peers by 0.8% per year, while faith-based bond funds outperformed by 0.4% per year. Additional academic research by Lyn and Zychowicz confirmed that values-based screens do not hinder fund performance relative to the market, and that faith-based funds performed better than socially responsible investment (SRI) funds generally.
A 15-year study examining 44 Christian funds in equity and bond categories found that these funds performed favorably against conventional benchmarks, with equity funds showing particularly strong results. The practical explanation is straightforward: biblical screening removes relatively few companies from standard indices (GuideStone removes only 15 of 500 S&P 500 constituents), so diversification loss is minimal. Meanwhile, companies that avoid the screened activities may actually represent better-managed, lower-risk investments.
That said, performance varies by fund, by time period, and by market conditions. In technology-dominated market rallies, Christian funds that exclude certain large tech companies may lag broad benchmarks. In value-oriented markets or during periods when “sin stocks” underperform, Christian funds may outperform. The consistent finding across research is that faith-based screening does not impose a systematic performance penalty—which means investors can align their portfolios with their values without expecting to sacrifice returns.
The Cost Question: Expense Ratios and the “Faith Premium”
Christian mutual funds generally carry higher expense ratios than passive index funds, though the gap has narrowed as the market has grown. The average faith-based fund charges approximately 0.70-0.80% annually, compared to 0.05% for the average index fund and 0.64% for the average actively managed fund.
However, the range within Christian funds is wide. At the low end, CBIS’s CRI Equity Index Fund charges just 0.09%, and Praxis’s index funds are competitively priced at approximately 0.47-0.49%. At the high end, Timothy Plan’s Growth & Income Fund charges 1.34% and Eventide’s Gilead Fund charges 1.18%. The primary drivers of higher costs include active management requirements (implementing biblical screening requires analyst time and ongoing monitoring), smaller asset bases (Christian funds manage less total money than Vanguard or Fidelity, reducing economies of scale), and research overhead (maintaining screening committees, restricted lists, and quarterly reviews adds operating costs).
The long-term cost impact is meaningful. A $100,000 investment over 30 years at a 0.09% expense ratio versus a 0.80% expense ratio—assuming identical 8% gross returns—results in approximately $27,000 in fees at the lower rate versus $240,000 at the higher rate. This $213,000 difference represents the cumulative cost of faith-based screening and active management. Investors should weigh this cost against the value they place on biblical alignment and the potential for active management to add returns that offset higher fees.
For cost-conscious investors who still want faith-based screening, the best options include CBIS’s index fund (0.09%), Praxis’s index offerings (0.47-0.49%), and Christian ETFs from providers like Inspire Investing, whose Inspire 500 ETF (PTL) charges just 0.09%. These options demonstrate that faith-based investing need not come with a significant cost premium.
How to Choose the Right Christian Mutual Fund
Selecting the right Christian fund requires evaluating several factors beyond just performance and cost.
Screening Philosophy. Different fund families reflect different Christian traditions and screening emphases. Timothy Plan applies the strictest screens from a conservative evangelical perspective. Ave Maria screens specifically according to Catholic teaching. Praxis reflects Mennonite values of peace and justice. GuideStone takes a moderate Southern Baptist approach. Eventide emphasizes positive impact alongside exclusionary screening. Choose the fund family whose screening philosophy most closely matches your own convictions.
Investment Objectives. Match the fund type to your financial goals. Growth-oriented investors might favor Eventide’s Gilead Fund or Timothy Plan’s growth offerings. Income-focused investors might prefer Ave Maria’s Rising Dividend Fund or Praxis’s Impact Bond Fund. Retirement savers should consider GuideStone’s target-date funds. Diversified investors seeking a single-fund solution might look at balanced offerings from Praxis (Genesis Balanced) or Timothy Plan (Conservative Growth).
Cost Sensitivity. If minimizing fees is a priority, focus on index-based options from CBIS, Praxis, and GuideStone, or consider Christian ETFs which generally offer lower expense ratios than mutual funds. If you’re willing to pay more for active management, Eventide’s strong track record may justify its higher fees.
Account Type. Consider where you’ll hold the fund. In tax-advantaged accounts (IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s), mutual funds and ETFs are equally tax-efficient, so choose based on other criteria. In taxable accounts, ETFs generally offer better tax efficiency due to their in-kind redemption mechanism—a consideration that might favor Christian ETFs over mutual funds for taxable investing.
Whatever fund you choose, remember that biblical investing principles extend beyond screening. A well-constructed portfolio also requires diversification across asset classes, regular rebalancing, appropriate risk management for your time horizon, and integration with your broader financial plan including budgeting, debt management, and generous giving. Christian mutual funds are one important tool in faithful stewardship—but they work best as part of a comprehensive, prayerful approach to managing God’s resources.