Cross and flame

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

Not to be confused with Cross burning.
United Methodist Church logo

History

Adopted shortly after the merger of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the symbol 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.[1]

Usage

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.[2]

Proposal for replacement

In September of 2020, the North Texas Annual Conference voted 558-176 at its annual meeting to send legislation to the 2021 General Conference, the denomination’s global decision-making body, to begin the process for changing the logo due to its association with the racist imagery of a burning cross.[3]

See also

References
  1. "A Mark Known the World Over - The United Methodist Church". The United Methodist Church. Retrieved 2017-04-02.
  2. "Cross and Flame - The United Methodist Church". The United Methodist Church. Retrieved 2016-10-17.
  3. "Texas United Methodists take up call to replace denomination's logo over association with racist imagery". Religion News Service. 2020-09-23. Retrieved 2020-09-24.


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