Story of the Logo

At their meeting in Rome, January 2012, the GCF Committee agreed to consider a new logo as part of developing new visual design guidelines in order to enhance the profile of the GCF. The Rev Kim Cain, who serves the committee as communications assistant, presented an initial logo design.

Although many committee members liked the design, an extensive discussion revealed concern that it could be culturally or religiously confusing to people in some parts of the world. So Kim was urged to think of other possibilities, including ones reflecting ancient Christian images and symbols, especiallyof the cross.

Thus began a long journey of research into early Christian art. This proved to be an interesting but somewhat fruitless task, because most images did not translate well into a modern idiom that reflects the diversity of the GCF – and still do justice to the original work.

Then almost by accident, Kim discovered images of mosaic crosses found in the ruins of former basilicas and churches around North Africa and in Palestine. These crosses were more of a square Greek cross shape. Some were found in former baptisteries of ancient churches.

Working with graphic designer Simon Kingsford in Melbourne, Australia, a mosaic cross design, influenced by those ancient designs emerged. Moreover, it was discovered that mosaic art, while having its origin in ancient history, is still a living art form practised extensively today.

The colours of the design are reflective of the ancient eras of the church. The chipped, or broken and slightly different shaped tiles remind us that we come as ‘chipped’ and ‘broken’ communities. But together – through the cross of Christ – we have our place. We belong together.

The cross, put over an image of the globe, with the words The Global Christian Forum, tells our story. The GCF has its roots in the cross of Christ known in history, but is present and alive in the contemporary world.

Like any mosaic, there is a unity and diversity in that each tile is individual, but belongs to the whole.In this design of the mosaic cross, we have our own hues and shapes, but together, we show that we belong to the other as we continue the search for unity in Christ.