The Inner Workings Of The Hutterite Team.

Everyone works as a team.
Everyone owns the team.
Everyone is the team.

The structure is familiar, with team presidents, coaches and players.

Every position is important. Sure, you have the captains and co-captains, but rookies and role players are every bit as important. Everyone has their specific duty and responsibility on the playing field. No one can win the game by themselves. They have to pass the puck. Total team effort guarantees success.

Personal gain and pride is forfeited for team gain and team pride. Each one of us makes the other stronger. All of us working towards the same goal makes the team stronger. If a member doesn't want to be a team player and doesn't share the same vision or goal, it creates chaos and makes the whole team weaker.

There are also rules. Dress codes. Equipment rules. Game rules and code of conduct. If these rules get broken, there are penalties. Minor infractions yield warnings, stern or otherwise. Major infractions hold more serious consequences. Gross misconduct leads to suspensions and/or demotions. If there is a repeat offender questions have to be asked. Does this player want to be part of the team? If not, they are welcome (and sometimes even encouraged) to leave and take time out to think things over. If at one point he/she wants to rejoin the team, fine, but then they must earnestly show that they can be a contributor again.

But all this team work and effort is in vain and pointless if there isn't a game plan and an end goal in mind. All players need to buy into and share the vision.

If the vision fades and is put on the back burner, the fruit follows. And it's all very visible to the spectators, who see dress codes fall, equipment rules erode and game plans fading and falling apart. The code of conduct gets violated. Team players are no longer team players. They begin looking outside the league for employment for personal gain or fame.

So what is this vision?
Earthly riches and gain?
Popularity and fame?

The earthly goal is to be sustainable. To keep the franchise healthy. This is a cradle to the grave system. The healthy and players in their prime contribute most, providing and caring for the young and old, the injured, disabled and retired.

But there is another and infinitely greater goal that these players strive and yearn for. A goal that provides the fire, will and energy for this sometimes grueling season, motivating each and every player is to put forward his best effort. This goal or crown and also the road there is best described by the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:6-8 "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

Yes, by the Grace of God, through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ,  be accepted into His Heavenly Hall of Fame.