Each time you see the cross and flame emblem, you are looking at United Methodism's official symbol.

Known informally as the cross and flame logo but formally known as the denomination's insignia, it has been in use nearly three decades. It is seen in cities, towns and rural areas at every point on the globe.

The insignia is a cross linked with a dual flame. This symbol relates our church to God by way of the second and third persons of the Trinity; the Christ (cross) and the Holy Spirit (flame).

Apart from Wesleyan Trinitarian theology and warmth, the flame has two other connotations. The flame suggests Pentecost when witnesses saw "tongues as of fire." And the duality of the flame was meant to represent the merger in 1968 of two denominations: The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church.

The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) has custody of the emblem. Because the cross and flame is an official insignia, any reproduction must be faithful to the original design. For that reason, reproduction proofs are available from GCFA.

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