Apart from Wesleyan Trinitarian theology and warmth, the flame has two other connotations. In 1971, the insignia was registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office as a service insignia and collective membership insignia. Since 1972, the Division of Program and Benevolence Interpretation, United Methodist Communications, has assumed 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.
Insets bearing insignia in varying sizes are available on a single mimeo stencil.
Spanish and Korean versions are available as well. It is not hard to recognize an unauthorized or poor reproduction of the insignia. The persons who supervise the insignia's use scrutinize three areas in particular. The base of the flame should be lower than that of the cross. The tip of the left portion of the flame must align with the left arm of the cross.