The Cross and flame is the official symbol of the United Methodist Church since 1968.
| United Methodist Church | |
| United Methodist Church logo Cross and flame |
Adopted shortly after the merger of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church. It relates The United Methodist church to God through Christ (cross) and the Holy Spirit (flame). The flame is a reminder of Pentecost when witnesses were unified by the power of the Holy Spirit and saw "tongues, as of fire" (Acts 2:3).The two tongues of a single flame may also be understood to represent the union of two denominations. [1]
The cross and flame was registered as a trademark in 1971 (for the purpose of preventing its misuse) and is intended only for official United Methodist agencies, including local churches.