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Dutch How is the Methodist Symbol a Welcoming Sign of God’s Goodness?
Isn’t it wonderful how, on our faith journey, God gives us special signs? These symbols are like little love notes from Heaven, beautiful reminders that He’s always with us, and that His amazing truths are there to guide your life. For so many in our worldwide Methodist family, the Cross and Flame is more than just a picture; it’s a bright light of hope, a powerful summary of what we believe, and a friendly sign of our spiritual home.¹ You see it on churches, on letters, all around the world, and it’s inviting you into a story of faith, of history, and of God’s amazing touch.
When you want to understand a symbol so precious, it’s often because there’s something stirring deep inside your spirit. It’s a desire to connect more with your spiritual roots, to feel even closer to your church family, and to draw nearer to God Himself. This article is here to walk with you on that journey, to unfold the beautiful meanings woven into the Cross and Flame. When you understand its parts, its story, and its spiritual heart, you’ll see it’s not just a design—it’s a source of personal strength, encouragement, and a deeper love for the faith it represents. Get ready to be blessed!
What Do the Cross and Flame Elements Mean for You?
The Cross and Flame, the special mark of The United Methodist is so simple, yet so full of incredible meaning. Every part tells a piece of God’s amazing story—a story of His unending love, the Spirit’s mighty power, and our great mission as His Church.
The Cross: God’s Unfailing Love is Your Foundation!
Right at the center of our Christian faith, and in this Methodist symbol, is the cross. Everyone knows the cross! It speaks first and foremost of the incredible sacrifice Jesus made—an act of pure, unconditional love for every single one of us.³ It reminds us of His death, yes it’s also a shout of victory for His resurrection, where He defeated sin and death for you! 4
For us Methodists, the cross in this emblem has a powerful message: Jesus Christ is the rock-solid foundation of our church.⁵ It’s not just something from history; it’s a living declaration that He is Lord, and His work of saving us is central to everything. Think of that cross as God’s giant “I love you!” to the world—a love so strong it conquered death itself, offering peace and a fresh start to everyone who believes. And guess what? That invitation to experience God’s healing love and peace is for you, today! The simple way it’s often drawn helps keep our eyes on this amazing message of Christ’s sacrifice and victory, making it easy for everyone to understand and feel welcomed.
The Flame: The Holy Spirit’s Living Power in You!
Next to the cross, you see a bright flame. This represents the Holy Spirit, the amazing Third Person of our God.⁶ All through the Bible, fire is a powerful sign of God’s direct presence, His awesome power, and His way of making things pure and new.³ Remember Moses and the burning bush? God was right there!
In our Cross and Flame, this fire shows the active, energizing work of the Holy Spirit in your life and in the world. The Spirit is the One who gives you strength, guides you, comforts you, and helps make you more like Jesus every day.³ Picture that flame as God’s very breath, warming your heart with His love, lighting up your path with His wisdom, and gently cleansing you from the inside out, drawing you closer to Him.
A flame is always moving, always giving light and heat—and that’s just like the Holy Spirit’s dynamic, life-changing work! He’s not sitting still; He’s active, like a wind or a fire, always working in the world and in your heart. This is a core belief for us Methodists, especially as we grow in God’s grace. Fire also brings comforting warmth and bright light it can also purify. This shows how the Holy Spirit comforts you with God’s presence while also showing you areas where you can grow, leading you to a fresh start and renewal.³
Two Tongues of Flame: Unity and a Heart “Strangely Warmed” for You!
A special thing about this flame is its two parts, or “tongues,” that join into one. This has beautiful meanings! Officially, these two tongues coming together celebrate a wonderful moment in 1968 when The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church joined to become one big family.⁵ It’s a picture of unity in Christ!
But beyond that, the flame’s warmth has a very personal meaning for Methodists. It reminds us of John Wesley, our founder, and his amazing “Aldersgate experience.” On May 24, 1738, Wesley felt his heart “strangely warmed” as he realized God’s saving grace was for him.⁵ That moment is key to Methodist spirituality, which teaches that faith isn’t just something you believe in your head something you feel and experience in your heart. So, the flame is a constant reminder that you too can have a personal, heart-warming encounter with the Holy Spirit!
Some also see the two tongues as representing the two works of grace in Wesleyan teaching: the New Birth (when you first say “yes” to Jesus) and entire sanctification (the ongoing journey of being filled with God’s perfect love).³ This adds even more spiritual depth!
“Two becoming one” is a powerful idea. It speaks of that 1968 church union also of God’s big plan to bring all of us back to Himself, to create unity among believers, and to bring peace and wholeness to your own heart.¹¹ It’s amazing how this one flame ties together the church’s story and a deep personal experience, showing how Methodism values both our shared faith community and your own vibrant, personal walk with God. It’s not one or the other—it’s both, working together to bless your life!
Table: Quick Look at the UMC Cross and Flame Meanings
Here’s a simple way to see these wonderful meanings:
| Element | What It Means for You | Other Wonderful Truths |
|---|---|---|
| The Cross | Christ died for you, God loves you, Your faith’s foundation | Jesus is Lord, God wants to make things right with you, God’s saving act for everyone |
| The Flame | The Holy Spirit is with you | God’s presence, Making you pure, Giving you light, His power, The miracle of Pentecost |
| Two Tongues of Flame | Two churches became one (1968) | John Wesley’s heart “strangely warmed” for God, Your own spiritual experiences, Sharing God’s love, Two works of grace |
| (Implied) Circle | God is eternal, His life is for you 6 | God is all around you, His love never ends, The wholeness God offers you |
A Symbol of Unity: What is the Story Behind the Cross and Flame?
The Cross and Flame began with a spirit of unity and great hope! It became the official sign of The United Methodist Church in 1968, the year The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church joined together.⁶ These two wonderful streams of faith came together, and they needed a symbol to show their new shared identity and their exciting mission ahead.
Creating this special symbol was a big job. In 1966, a team was put together, led by art director Edward J. Mikula and editorial director Edwin H. Maynard.¹² They wanted a symbol that was simple but strong, easy to recognize, clearly Christian, and uniquely Wesleyan.¹² Plus, it had to look good everywhere, even in simple black and white.
They didn’t just pick the first idea. They looked at over two dozen designs before choosing the Cross and Flame! 5 This shows how much they cared about finding something that truly spoke to the heart of the new church. The design, linking the classic cross with a single flame that has two tongues, was formally adopted in 1968. To make sure it was used right, it was registered as an official trademark in 1971.³
Creating this symbol was like saying, “We are one with shared beliefs and a mission to bless the world together!” The design principles—simple, bold, Christian, Wesleyan—showed they wanted it to be rooted in our rich Christian and Wesleyan heritage also to clearly communicate the church’s heart and its call to reach out to everyone.
Remembering Pentecost: How Does This Event Reveal the Symbol’s Deep Spiritual Power?
That flame in our Methodist symbol burns with a meaning that goes way back to a powerful day in Christian history: Pentecost! The Bible tells us in Acts, chapter 2, verse 3, that on this day, the Holy Spirit came down on Jesus’ followers in an amazing way, like “tongues, as of fire” resting on each of them.⁵
Pentecost is often called the “birthday of the Christian church.” 14 It was a moment when God empowered believers, united them by His Spirit, and filled them with incredible courage and gifts. This changed the disciples completely! They had been hiding, a little scared after Jesus went to heaven suddenly they were bold, ready to share the good news of Jesus with everyone.¹⁴ Imagine that amazing scene: a sound like a mighty wind, flames appearing, and people filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking about God’s wonders in new languages! 8 As these transformed individuals took to the streets, they became silent champions of global Christianity, spreading the message of hope and salvation far beyond their own community. Their bold testimonies and miraculous signs drew crowds, igniting a movement that would shape the course of history. The impact of that day reverberated through generations, inspiring countless believers to embrace their faith and share it with others.
So, the flame in our Cross and Flame is a constant, bright reminder that the Church started with the Spirit’s breath. It means the Church isn’t just something people made up; it’s God’s creation, brought to life and kept going by the Holy Spirit’s power. It also tells us that we always need the Spirit’s presence and power to do what God has called us to do.
This Pentecost connection means the just like those first apostles, is meant to be a dynamic, Spirit-filled movement, not just a quiet organization. The moving flame shows this ongoing call to share God’s love, to be transformed, and to be alive with the Spirit’s fire. Pentecost wasn’t just a one-time event; it was the start of the Spirit-powered Church. So, the flame isn’t just a history marker; it’s a call for you today to live a Spirit-filled life and join God’s mission! And remember, at Pentecost, they spoke in other languages, breaking down barriers. This subtly points to our Methodist commitment to global mission, just like John Wesley said, “The world is my parish” 3, and our deep desire to share God’s amazing love with everyone, everywhere.
A Heart “Strangely Warmed”: How Did John Wesley’s Experience Touch the Symbol?
Beyond the big church meanings, the flame in our symbol has a very personal, warm meaning, tied to John Wesley, the main founder of Methodism. It points to his Aldersgate experience on May 24, 1738.
Wesley wrote that he went to a small meeting, and as someone read about faith in Jesus, he said, “I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation, and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.” 5
That “strangely warmed” heart was a powerful, personal moment of knowing God’s saving grace. It changed everything for Wesley and for Methodism. It showed how important it is to have a personal experience of God’s grace—a faith that’s not just in your head deep in your heart. The flame in our emblem is a beautiful reminder of this “heart-warming” work of the Holy Spirit in your life.¹² Imagine Wesley, maybe feeling a bit lost, and then suddenly, this incredible warmth, this certainty of God’s love flooding his heart. That’s the kind of personal touch from the Holy Spirit the flame can remind you of.
Having Wesley’s personal experience in our official symbol shows how much Methodism values “heart religion.” This is a faith that involves your whole being—mind, will, and emotions—leading to a deep, personal, life-changing relationship with God. The “strangely warmed heart” isn’t just history; it’s a key part of who we are as Methodists.
This part of the symbol is also a gentle encouragement for you to seek your own “Aldersgate moments”—those personal encounters with God’s grace that make your faith real and vibrant. The symbol isn’t just about Wesley’s past; it’s an invitation for you to have a living relationship with God today, helping you grow spiritually. Many Methodists can share their own stories of when their faith became truly real, when their own hearts were “warmed” by God’s love, just like Wesley. This shared possibility of a deep, personal faith is a precious part of the symbol’s message.
A Heartfelt Conversation: How Can We Understand Different Feelings About the Symbol?
With a tender heart, we need to talk about something important. For some people, especially in the African American community, the image of a cross with a flame can, unintentionally, bring to mind the terrible image of the Ku Klux Klan’s burning cross.⁵ That KKK symbol is one of deep hate and racial terror, and even though our Methodist emblem was never meant to be like that, it can cause real pain.
It’s so important to understand this pain. One pastor shared seeing a burning cross as a child, saying, “My mother told my brother, sister and me that the burning cross was a powerful image devised to invoke fear in black people.” 17 For those with such memories, seeing a symbol that even slightly resembles that emblem of hate can be very upsetting.¹⁸
Let’s be absolutely clear: this is not what The United Methodist Church’s Cross and Flame means. As we’ve seen, it was created to show God’s love through Jesus (the cross) and the Holy Spirit’s power (the flame)—symbols of love, unity, and God’s grace.⁵ But a symbol’s meaning isn’t just about what was intended; it’s also about how people receive it, especially those who’ve been hurt by similar images.
This has led to conversations in The United Methodist Church about possibly changing our symbol.³ The North Texas Annual Conference even voted in 2020 to suggest this.³ This isn’t just about a logo; it’s part of the Church’s journey with racial justice and our deep desire to be a truly welcoming place for all of God’s children. It breaks God’s heart, and ours, when a symbol meant for love causes pain.
This ongoing conversation, though hard, is a chance for the Church to learn, and grow in its commitment to justice, healing, and loving one another deeply. For some, changing the symbol would be an act of Christian love. Although the 2024 General Conference of The United Methodist Church tackled many big issues like LGBTQ+ inclusion and global structure 10, a specific decision about changing the Cross and Flame wasn’t a main highlight in the reports.²¹ So, the conversation about the symbol is likely still happening within our church family.
Beyond Our Church: Is the Cross and Flame Found in Other Faith Families?
Although the Cross and Flame is best known as our United Methodist sign, the powerful idea of a cross and a flame together is used by other Christian groups too, especially those with Methodist roots or in Holiness Pentecostal traditions.³
You might see a cross and flame in the logos of the Free Methodist the Congregational Methodist the Bethel Methodist the Evangelical Methodist the Holiness Methodist and even some Pentecostal groups like the International Pentecostal Holiness Church and the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas.³ These symbols reflect a deep-rooted connection to the Christian faith and the importance of the Holy Spirit in their teachings. For those seeking a deeper understanding, various resources delve into ‘methodist beliefs explained,’ providing insights into the doctrines and practices that unite these congregations. Such exploration can enrich one’s appreciation of the diverse expressions of worship and faith within the Methodist tradition.
The designs might look a bit different the main meaning is often the same. The cross always points to Jesus and His saving love, and the flame usually represents the Holy Spirit, Pentecost, or the spiritual passion that comes from God’s presence.³ For example, the Free Methodist Church’s logo has a cross and flame on a globe, reminding us of John Wesley’s vision that “The world is my parish” and showing the Holy Spirit spreading everywhere.³ The Lumber River Conference of the Holiness Methodist Church includes a cross, a flame, and a dove.³
Seeing similar symbols in different churches, while sometimes a little confusing, actually points to a shared spiritual family tree. It shows a common belief in Jesus and the Holy Spirit. It’s like a quiet sign that we’re all part of God’s bigger family, united by these core beliefs. The different ways they’re combined also show how each tradition might highlight something special about their own mission while still honoring these sacred Christian symbols.
A New Symbol for Some: What Should We Understand About the Global Methodist Church Logo?
Recently, a new church called the Global Methodist Church (GMC) was formed in 2022. It was started mainly by congregations and people who chose to separate from The United Methodist often because of different theological views.²³ With its formation, the Global Methodist Church introduced its own distinct logo.²³
The Global Methodist Church logo has three circles that cross each other, with a cross right in the middle where they meet. The outside of these rings also looks a bit like a globe.²⁶ Each part has a special meaning: The three circles symbolize the interconnectedness of the church’s mission, community, and faith. This design reflects the organization’s commitment to spreading the message of hope and love, which is particularly relevant in the context of Christianity’s growth in China. Each element of the logo serves as a reminder of the global nature of the church and its dedication to diverse cultures and communities.
- The Three Intersecting Circles: These clearly show the Holy Trinity—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—the one true God we worship.²⁶
- The Cross at the Center: This cross in the middle stands for Jesus Christ and His sacrifice that saves us from sin and fear.²⁶ Its central spot shows how important Jesus is.
- The Globe Outline: The big circle around the rings represents the whole world, showing the church’s commitment to a global mission to share the Gospel with everyone.²⁶
- The Sky Blue Color: This color reminds members that even though Global Methodists are all over the world, they are all united under God in His amazing creation.²⁶
Compared to The United Methodist Church’s Cross and Flame, the GMC logo uses different main pictures and so it highlights slightly different things right away. The GMC’s choice of a new logo is a clear way of showing its separate identity. It’s saying they want to go their own way while still holding onto core Christian and Wesleyan beliefs, like the Trinity, Jesus being central, and the importance of sharing God’s love worldwide. It’s a symbol of both staying connected to Christian tradition and starting something new.
The GMC logo’s clear Trinitarian symbol (the three circles) is a very direct way to show the Triune God. This is different from the UMC’s Cross and Flame, which more directly shows Christ (the Cross) and the Holy Spirit (the Flame). This difference might show what the new denomination wants to emphasize, perhaps making the foundational belief in the Trinity extra clear in their main symbol.
Table: Methodist Symbols: UMC and GMC at a Glance
This table helps you see the differences:
| Feature | UMC Cross and Flame | Global Methodist Church Logo |
|---|---|---|
| Main Elements | Cross, Single Flame with Two Tongues | Three Intersecting Circles, Cross at center, Globe outline |
| What It Means | Christ (Cross), Holy Spirit/Pentecost/Wesley’s Heart (Flame), Union of Churches (Two Tongues) | Trinity (Circles), Christ’s importance & sacrifice (Cross), Global mission (Globe), Unity in God’s creation (Sky Blue color) |
| When It Started | 1968 | 2021 (announced) / 2022 (church started) 23 |
| Main Focus | Jesus, Holy Spirit, Church Union, Personal Experience | The Trinity, Jesus, Global Mission |
Conclusion: Why is it a Living Symbol for Your Living Faith?
The Cross and Flame is so much more than just a pretty design. It’s full of meaning, holding stories of God’s amazing love in Jesus, the Holy Spirit’s powerful presence, the call for Christians to be united, the importance of a faith you can feel in your heart, and the lasting power of Pentecost that sends us out to bless the world.
The real power of any religious symbol, like our Cross and Flame, isn’t in the picture itself in how it points you to the living God it represents. It truly works when it inspires you to live a life of faith, hope, and love. The ongoing story of this symbol—its meanings, the love people have for it, and even the discussions around it—shows the exciting nature of a “living faith.” It’s a faith that keeps learning from its past, dealing with today’s realities, and prayerfully looking to its future.
May the Cross and Flame, and all symbols that draw your heart to God, continue to inspire you. May it encourage you to live with a passionate faith, shown by loving service to others and boldly sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, all for God’s glory! As Bishop J. Gordon Howard once said so wisely, “The cross and flame must cease being decorative…and become incarnate…they must take hold of us until we become sources of the life which is reconciled both with God and with man.”9
Let’s pray together: Father God, thank You for symbols that remind us of Your eternal goodness. May the Cross of Jesus always remind us of Your incredible love, and may the Flame of Your Holy Spirit fill our hearts with passion for You and compassion for the world. Give us the strength to be Your hands and feet, united in Your Spirit and purpose, shining Your light brightly wherever we go. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
