Ethnic Flames of the Burning Bush - Print.
An Exploration of Ethnic Relations in Congregations of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand By Tokerau Joseph
Overseas customers:
Order your print books through your local Amazon store and avoid the high cost of postage from New Zealand:
Amazon.com Amazon UK Amazon Aust.
A thought-provoking exploration of ethnic relations within the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, offering theological insights and practical steps toward unity in diversity.
This book helps readers:
- Understand the complexities of ethnic relations in New Zealand churches.
- Explore the theological foundations of unity in diversity within congregations.
- Examine historical and contemporary ethnic compositions of the PCANZ.
- Discover how Christian and ethnic identities shape congregational life.
- Reflect on challenges to achieving multi-ethnic worship communities.
- Gain practical insights into fostering cross-cultural engagement in churches.
- Be inspired to rethink Christian fellowship through a pan-Pacific model. Features
- A deeply researched exploration of ethnic relations in PCANZ congregations.
- A theological and sociological analysis of multi-ethnic church dynamics.
- Historical perspectives on the ethnic components of the PCANZ.
- Case studies and practical reflections on cross-cultural engagement.
- Discussion of the role of Holy Communion in fostering unity.
- Includes a full bibliography, references, and church reports.
- Relevant to all denominations with multi-ethnic congregations.
Softcover, B/W text, 184pp, 6" x 9"
ISBN 9781991027603
Philip Garside Publishing Ltd (2024)
7 in stock 16 August 2025
Click for eBooks
Why do national church policies promoting cultural and ethnic unity often fail to manifest in local congregations?
Ethnic Flames of the Burning Bush explores this paradox through the lens of practical theology, offering an in-depth study of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ).
Written by Rev Dr Tokerau Joseph, this book examines the tension between the PCANZ’s stated commitment to ethnic diversity and the reality of homogeneity in local congregations.
It delves into the theological understanding of the church and how identity—Christian and ethnic—shapes the makeup of congregations.
Through a historical and theological lens, Joseph provides a compelling analysis of ethnic relations at various levels of the church.
He challenges church communities to foster a deeper ecclesiology of unity in diversity, offering practical pathways for change.
Key topics include ethnic identity, cross-cultural engagement, the pan-Pacific model of church, and Holy Communion as a means of unity.
The book is a valuable resource for church leaders, scholars, and congregants seeking to understand and embrace multi-ethnic Christian fellowship. Praise for Ethnic Flames of the Burning Bush
“This is an important book that will help all congregations to do justice both to our shared identity in Christ and to our cultural distinctives. Tokerau Joseph provides us with the theological reflection and the direction we need to resist the powerful pull towards homogeneity in our life together."
Dr Tim Cooper, Professor of Church History, University of Otago
“All around the world people are on the move in what has been called the new migration. Largely this is from majority world countries to the west, creating significant ethnic diversity where there was previously a significant European majority, and New Zealand is at the leading edge of this. Many of these people are Christian, and initially they established their own ethnic churches, but as they move into the second generation and beyond most desire to be in multi-ethnic churches, and research shows these are the most rapidly growing churches.
Tokerau Joseph’s work explores this in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand and provides a highly needed understanding, some helpful practical insights, and a solid theological base to help churches engage with this challenging but much needed task."
Rev Dr Kevin Ward, former Senior Lecturer and Acting Principal of Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership
“A superb piece of practical and public theology arising from generous cultural insight, solid sociological and theological research, and the wisdom born of personal involvement.
Dr Joseph displays a deeply committed curiosity about how communities seeking to embody Christian ideals of unity with the welcoming affirmation of human diversity liv