You’ve seen it on roadside signs, church bulletins, and maybe a dusty hymnal or two. That black cross paired with two licking red flames. For over fifty years, the UMC cross and flame served as the visual shorthand for Methodism across the globe. It was supposed to be permanent. But lately, if you’ve been paying attention to local steeples or denominational news, things are looking different. The symbol that once unified millions is now at the center of a massive identity shift, and honestly, the story of how it got here is way more interesting than just a graphic design update.
It’s not just about a logo. It’s about history, some pretty intense theological imagery, and a modern-day reckoning with racial justice that has forced one of the world’s largest Protestant denominations to look in the mirror.
Where the UMC Cross and Flame Actually Came From
Back in 1968, the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church decided to tie the knot. This merger created the United Methodist Church we know today. They needed a brand. They needed something that screamed "we are one now."
The task fell to Edward J. Mikula. He worked with a team led by Leland P. Belew. They weren't looking for something trendy. They wanted something that anchored the new church in ancient tradition while looking toward the future. They landed on two distinct symbols merged into one. The cross is obvious—it represents Christ and the sacrifice at the heart of the faith. But those flames? Those are the part that people get wrong most often.
People see two flames and think they represent the two merging churches. Nope. That’s a common myth. In reality, the dual flames are meant to represent the Holy Spirit, specifically referencing the Day of Pentecost described in the Book of Acts. The "tongues of fire" thing. But there's a second layer: the two flames also nod to John Wesley’s "warmed heart" experience at Aldersgate, which is basically the origin story of the entire Methodist movement. It’s a visual representation of a faith that is both scriptural and felt deeply in the soul.
By 1971, the UMC officially trademarked the design. It became one of the most recognizable religious marks in the world. You couldn't go five miles in the American South without seeing it. It stood for a "big tent" theology—a place where liberal and conservative folks supposedly sat in the same pews and figured it out.
The Design Choice That Became a Problem
The UMC cross and flame was designed to be simple. It’s a "voided" cross, meaning it’s often just an outline or a solid block next to the flames. The flames wrap around the base, slightly off-center. This asymmetry was intentional; it was meant to suggest movement and the dynamic nature of a "living" church.
But here’s where things get uncomfortable.
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Over the last few years, a growing number of clergy and laity have pointed out a disturbing visual parallel. When you see a cross with flames licking up the side of it, what do you think of? If you’re familiar with the history of the American South, your mind might go straight to the domestic terrorism of the Ku Klux Klan.
This isn't just a "woke" reinterpretation. It’s a visceral reaction for many Black United Methodists. Think about it. For decades, the KKK used burning crosses to intimidate, displace, and kill. To have your spiritual home represented by an image that—at a quick glance or from a distance—looks like a cross on fire is, at best, an unfortunate coincidence. At worst, it’s a symbol of trauma.
The 2020 Turning Point
The conversation around the UMC cross and flame shifted from "church basement chatter" to "official legislative action" around 2020. The North Texas Annual Conference was one of the first big groups to say, "Hey, we need to talk about this." They passed a resolution to begin the process of potentially changing the logo because of its similarity to racist imagery.
They weren't saying the original designers were racist. They were saying that symbols don't live in a vacuum. They live in the world. And in our world, a cross with fire has a specific, horrific meaning for a lot of people.
The resolution noted that while the symbol was meant to evoke the Holy Spirit, its "unintentional" resemblance to KKK iconography was a barrier to the church's mission of dismantling racism. Since then, individual congregations have started scrubbing the logo from their websites. Some have replaced it with just a simple cross, or a tree, or even just the name of the church in a nice sans-serif font.
It's Not Just About Race, It's About the Split
If you follow church news, you know the UMC has been going through a bit of a messy divorce. This is the "denominational schism" people talk about. Thousands of conservative churches have left to form the Global Methodist Church (GMC) or become independent.
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Why does this matter for the UMC cross and flame? Because when a church leaves the UMC, they lose the right to use the logo. It’s trademarked. The General Board of Global Ministries and the United Methodist Communications office are pretty protective of it.
So, as churches disaffiliate, the cross and flame is physically being ripped off signs and sanded off pulpits across the country. This has created a weird visual vacuum. For the churches staying in the UMC, there’s a debate: do we keep the old logo to show we’re "the originals," or do we use this moment of upheaval to rebrand entirely and move away from the "burning cross" baggage?
What the Critics Say
Not everyone wants to bin the logo. Not by a long shot.
A lot of people feel a deep, emotional connection to it. It’s the logo they saw when they were baptized. It was on the program at their mother’s funeral. To them, the UMC cross and flame represents a global connection. It means that whether you’re in a tiny village in Zimbabwe or a skyscraper in Chicago, you’re part of the same family.
Critics of the change argue that we shouldn't let hate groups "own" the imagery of fire. Fire is biblical! God spoke through a burning bush. The Holy Spirit descended as fire. They argue that by removing the flame, the church is caving to "cancel culture" or abandoning its Wesleyan heritage. They see it as a symbol of the "United" part of United Methodist—a unity that is already fraying.
The Technical Reality of the Logo
If you’re a church admin or a local pastor, you’ve probably dealt with the "Official Brand Standards." The UMC actually has a very specific set of rules for the UMC cross and flame.
- Proportions: You can't just stretch it. The relationship between the cross and the flame is fixed.
- Colors: The official colors are PMS 485 (Red) and Black.
- Placement: The flame must always be on the left. Why? Because that’s how it was registered.
Changing a logo for a global organization with over 10 million members isn't like changing your Instagram profile picture. It involves millions of dollars in signage, legal filings in dozens of countries, and a massive amount of "re-education" for the laity. This is why, even though many leaders want it gone, the cross and flame is still hanging on.
A Symbol in Limbo
Right now, we are in a "choose your own adventure" phase of Methodist history.
Some "Progressive" UMC churches are leaning into a New Age or social-justice-focused aesthetic, ditching the logo for something softer. Meanwhile, some "Institutionalist" churches are doubling down on the UMC cross and flame to signal that they are the "true" UMC survivors of the split.
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The General Conference—the big meeting where they decide the rules—has been buried in legislative paperwork regarding the schism, regionalization, and sexuality. The logo hasn't been the top priority, but it's the "ghost in the room." Everyone knows the brand is damaged. Everyone knows the symbol is polarizing. But no one has agreed on what comes next.
What You Should Actually Do
If you’re a member of a church or just someone interested in religious history, here is how to navigate the current state of the UMC cross and flame without getting caught in the crossfire of church politics.
Look at your local context.
Symbols mean different things in different places. In a diverse urban center, that flame might genuinely be a stumbling block for outreach. In a rural area where the church has stood for 150 years, removing it might feel like an act of vandalism to the older generation. Talk about it. Don't just pull the sign down in the middle of the night.
Separate the theology from the graphic design.
You can love the idea of the Holy Spirit (the flame) and the sacrifice of Christ (the cross) without being married to a 1968 graphic design project. The UMC is more than its logo. John Wesley didn't have a trademarked brand, and he did just fine.
Be aware of the legalities.
If your church is thinking about disaffiliating or has already left, you must stop using the UMC cross and flame. The denomination is legally obligated to protect its trademark to keep its tax-exempt status and brand integrity. Keeping the logo on your "Welcome" sign after you've left the denomination is an invitation for a cease-and-desist letter.
Consider a "Both/And" approach.
Many churches are keeping the logo on official documents but creating a "local brand" for their community. This allows them to maintain their connection to the global church while presenting a fresh, non-triggering face to their specific neighborhood.
The UMC cross and flame isn't going to disappear overnight. It’s too deeply embedded in the architecture of thousands of buildings. But its era of being the "unquestioned" symbol of Methodism is over. We’re watching a slow-motion rebranding of an entire faith tradition, and honestly, it’s a fascinating look at how culture, history, and religion collide in the 21st century.
Actionable Steps for Church Leaders
- Conduct a Visual Audit: Walk around your property. Is the logo faded, peeling, or outdated? Sometimes the "offense" isn't the symbol itself, but the fact that it looks like it hasn't been touched since 1974.
- Host a Listening Session: Instead of debating "keep it or toss it," ask your congregation: "What do you feel when you see this symbol?" The answers might surprise you.
- Explore Local Branding: Work with a local designer to create a logo that reflects your specific church’s mission—maybe it’s your unique steeple, a local landmark, or a visual representation of your specific ministry (like a loaf of bread for a food-focused church).
- Check Trademark Guidelines: If you are using the logo, ensure it meets the official UMC Brand Standards to avoid weirdly distorted versions that look unprofessional.