Cross and flame

United Methodist Church
United Methodist Church logo Cross and flame

The Cross and flame is the official symbol of the United Methodist Church since 1968.

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. The two separate flames represent the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church coming together to form the United Methodist Church.

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.