Introduction
The first meeting with a faith-based financial planner should feel like a conversation, not an interrogation. You’re meeting someone who should listen well, translate your faith into a plan, and give clear next steps. Knowing what to expect helps you prepare and makes the meeting more productive. Below is a realistic look at the agenda, the questions you should ask, and how a faith-based planner will integrate biblical responsible investing into practical recommendations.
Opening conversation and listening
Most planners start by listening. Expect a few open questions about your family, your faith commitments, your short-term needs, and your long-term hopes. The planner’s goal is to understand what stewardship and generosity look like in your life.
A faith-based financial planner will ask about your church involvement, your giving patterns, and any ministry goals. These questions help them assess how biblical responsible investing and other faith-aligned strategies should appear in your plan.
Review of basic financial facts
After the big-picture conversation, the planner will gather some financial facts: income, debts, savings, retirement accounts, and estate documents if you have them. This is practical housekeeping to ground future recommendations.
If you brought documents, the review will be quicker. If not, a faith-based financial planner will explain what to bring next time. The aim is not to judge but to create a realistic baseline.
Values and investment preferences
A key part of the first meeting is defining how your values should guide investing. Expect questions about industries you want to avoid, causes you want to support, and how strict or flexible your screening should be.
The planner will explain approaches to biblically responsible investing. They may describe negative screens that exclude certain sectors, positive screens that favor companies with ethical governance, or impact allocations that fund mission-driven projects. This is the time to be honest about what matters most.
Risk tolerance and timeline
Even values-driven portfolios need a risk framework. The planner will talk about your timeline, how comfortable you are with market ups and downs, and how long you plan to leave money invested.
A faith-based financial planner will balance your risk profile with your values. For example, stricter screens can affect diversification, and the planner will explain trade-offs clearly so you can decide knowingly.
Practical strategies for giving and taxes
If giving is important, the planner will propose practical, tax-smart tools. Expect discussions about donor-advised funds, qualified charitable distributions, and how to time gifts to maximize impact.
A faith-based financial planner will show how those tools work alongside retirement saving and estate planning. They will not separate faith from taxes; instead they integrate them into one plan.
Sample plan and next steps
A good first meeting ends with concrete next steps. You might get a sample allocation, a list of recommended funds, or a timeline for follow-up. The planner should offer an actionable checklist and a clear schedule for the next meeting.
A faith-based financial planner will often propose a small pilot portfolio or a staged implementation if you prefer gradual changes. They will explain how biblically responsible investing choices will be monitored and reported.
Questions you should ask
Ask how they implement biblically responsible investing. Ask for examples of funds or strategies they use. Ask whether they act as fiduciaries and how they are compensated. Ask how they coordinate giving, tax planning, and estate planning.
A faith-based financial planner should answer these questions directly and give references if you ask. They should be comfortable explaining methodology and showing sample client scenarios that align with your values.
What good communication looks like
Good planners speak plainly and avoid jargon. They set expectations for contact frequency and reporting. A faith-based financial planner will discuss how they handle annual reviews and how they involve clients in rebalancing or strategy updates.
Expect clarity. You should leave knowing what actions either of you will take next and how you will measure progress.
Red flags to watch for
Be wary of planners who avoid detailed methodology for faith-based investing, who pressure you into quick product purchases, or who promise guaranteed returns. Also be cautious if they are evasive about fees or fail to act as fiduciaries.
A trustworthy faith-based financial planner welcomes questions and provides transparent documentation. They will align their recommendations with both financial best practices and your stated faith commitments.
Conclusion
Your first meeting with a faith-based financial planner should be grounded, practical, and values-centered. Expect listening, a review of finances, a discussion of values and risk, and clear next steps that include biblically responsible investing where appropriate. Ask direct questions about methodology, fees, and fiduciary duty. When a planner integrates your convictions into a specific, actionable plan, you’ll leave confident that your money will serve both your family and your faith.
