Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga

Origins The Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga came about as the product of the Union between the Established Free Church of Tonga and the minority Wesleyan Church, which was still in Full Connexion with the Methodist Church of Australasia. Prior to the reforms of George Tupou II in 1898, the Established Church was known as the 'Wesleyan Free Church' or 'Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga' (old Tongan orthography: Koe Jiaji Ueseliana Tauataina o Toga) In 1924, Queen Sālote Tupou III successfully spearheaded the attempt to unite the Free Church, founded by her great-great-grandfather George Tupou I, with the Wesleyan Methodist Church (pejoratively dubbed by Free Churchmen as the Siasi Fakaongo, or Church of the 'Subservient ones'). The relationship between the two denominations was tense as there were many still living who had been party to the crisis of 1885–1887. The Great Wesleyan Schism & Crisis of 1885-1887 The crisis had started in January, 1885, when Tupou I and his advisors - most especially the former Wesleyan missionary and then-Premier, Shirley Waldemar Baker ('Misa Peka'), who played a prominent role- in their pursuit of total independence from foreign missionary intervention, initiated schism from the Wesleyan Methodist Conference of New South Wales and demanded that indigenous Tongans show fealty to their King by abandoning the Wesleyan Church for the newly seceded Free Church of Tonga. This prompted severe persecution against the remaining Wesleyans from agents of both the Tongan Government and the Tongan Free Church, It was, therefore, logical that instead of approaching any of the Methodist Churches overseas, the STT would secure the appointment of a minister from the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand to succeed Watkin (who had already died in 1925) as their new president. The STT provisional committee confirmed the appointment of a retired Presbyterian pastor, the Reverend Robert Gordon-Kirgan ('Misa Kēkane'), who was the last non-Tongan minister to assume the presidency within the denomination. His administration was followed by a dynastic succession of the Fonua family, commencing with its patriarch, the Reverend Paula Fonua, former pastor of the Neiafu Free Church and a close associate of Watkin who joined him in resigning from the Free Wesleyan Church. It was during Gordon-Kirgan's presidency that disagreements with the chiefs arose with regards to church finances and presidential authority. This led to the founding of the Church of Tonga (''Siasi 'o Tonga, also known in Tongan as the Siasi Tonga Hou'eiki'' or 'Chiefly Tongan Church') in 1928, by chiefs and ministers who were affronted by the President's insistence on financial accountability within the STT and deference to himself rather than to the aristocracy. This group of dissatisfied churchmen were led by Lord Fīnau 'Ulukālala. Despite the break, the STT continues to perpetuate the laws, practices, doctrines and writings of the pre-1885 Wesleyan Methodist Church from which its forerunners seceded. This is due to the fact that the schismatics of 1885 still strongly desired to be identified with Wesleyan Methodism and to be recognised by the overseas Methodist Churches as the successor of the Wesleyan Mission, and the national Connexion throughout the Kingdom of Tonga. ==Clergy==

Orders of Ministry Free Wesleyan holy orders consists of a twofold ministry: the Presbyterate, and the Stewardship/Diaconate. The Superintendency/Episcopate is understood to be a particular office within the broader ministry of the Presbyterate, not a separate order in itself, as is the case among the High Church jurisdictions such as the Nordic Evangelical-Lutheran, Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches. The discipline of presbyters is a prerogative of the Presbyters' Conference, which is an exclusive session consisting of ordained ministers. Recent Developments Recently, the Church's Annual General Conference has ratified a proposal to raise the minimum requirement for theological qualification from the Tongan-based Certificate of Pastoral Ministry to the English-based Diploma in Theology. The Church prioritises the vocational training of its ministers, intertwining theological instruction with practical education in a range of trades and crafts such as carpentry, book-keeping, and agriculture at its local seminary, Sia'atoutai Theological College. Graduates from other theological institutions may be eligible for ministry in the Free Wesleyan Church, but all confirmed ministerial candidates must complete a year-long residency programme at the college with their families (if married). == Sacraments and liturgy ==

Sacraments The Church celebrates and enjoins the two sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper (or the Eucharist). Generally, only presbyters may perform baptisms within the FWCT; though, there are provisions for stewards and local preachers to perform the sacrament on behalf of the minister in the case of an emergency. Both child and adult baptisms are permitted, as the Church recognises that God may call individuals to faith in Him at any age, and that Christ died for all people. The celebration of the Lord's Supper is generally reserved for presbyters and connexional stewards, though recent concessions have been introduced that encourage its celebration at home by families while COVID-19 restrictions are in place. Other rites Other rites such as Holy Matrimony and the Burial of the Dead are prescribed in the Church's hymnal. While the former is strictly reserved for ordained ministers as authorised celebrants, the latter may be conducted by a steward or local preacher on behalf of the minister. The consecration of new church ministers is carried out in accordance with the rite of the Ordination of Presbyters, strictly reserved for use by ordained representatives who are authorised by the Presbyters' Conference to confer presbyteral orders through the imposition of hands. ==Schools==

The Free Wesleyan Church also runs 30% of the schools in Tonga. As in other schools, FWCT schools usually do not have class on Fridays, but instead use the day for school cleanup; all school facilities in Tonga are maintained by the students. School uniforms are the church's colors: royal blue and white. ==Leaders==

Current Leaders The current President of the Free Wesleyan Church is Rev. Dr. Tevita Koloa'ia Havea, the Secretary-General is Rev. Mr. 'Alifeleti 'Atiola. They both took their office in the 98th General Conference held in 2021. Dr. Havea also serves as the Royal Chaplain to His Majesty, King Tupou VI, and the Royal Family of Tonga. The ministers for each congregation, circuit and district are stationed by the President and confirmed by the General Conference, the latter of which is the highest decision-making body within the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga. Listed below are those who are currently looking after the FWCT Churches in UK Japan Fiji American Samoa Presidency The President's role resembles that of a patriarch or primate in the high church tradition; he oversees the Church's general ministry, presides over its councils and assemblies, appoints its ministers and provides overall pastoral care and support to the Tongan Connexion. The successor to the Office of President is elected every year at the annual General Conference session. Presidents-elect are confirmed in their station by the reigning Tongan monarch, in accordance with the Church's constitution. Though the presidential term is only a year long, it is the custom of the Church - if the General Conference is satisfied with the individual's character, conduct and doctrine - to re-elect the same candidate year after year until retirement. This custom enables a spirit of continuity to develop within the Church, much like the life-long clerical incumbency within high church jurisdictions such the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. Listed below are those who have served as President of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, together with their duration of service: ==External links==