The tragic events of both Christchurch and Japan, as well as the numerous other tragedies that unfold around our world daily, demonstrate that life is fragile.

The ability of nature to reshape our lives and communities shows that there are forces at work much bigger than us. Sometimes that comes as a surprise to us.

Sportspeople too are subject to the same forces; an injury can ruin a season or a career. The effects of what life throws at an athlete can dramatically affect their personal circumstances; that flows through to selection, performance and livelihood. The life of an athlete is as fragile as anyone else’s.

Understanding the fragility of life should increase our heart for mission and help us consider the opportunities that present themselves around us. The Rugby World Cup is one of those opportunities that presents itself to our churches this year. It’s an opportunity to serve our communities, our sports people, their families and supporters. It’s a unique opportunity that will no doubt be marketed as a hopeful distraction in a year of great tragedy. It should be grasped in appropriate ways, particularly by the 23 centres throughout New Zealand that will host games and teams.

So what’s your local church planning for RWC? Will you be opening your doors to create family-friendly environments where people can come and watch their favourite team? Will you be offering accommodation to out-of-town visitors struggling to find room at the inn? Are there people in your church with appropriate skills who could offer themselves as chaplains? Will you be presenting teaching programmes that encourage your faith community to grapple with the gospel and its interaction with sport (remembering that in NT times sport was a part of their world).

At a minimum, churches should be checking out the Engage website (www.engagenz.org) where you can register your details to stay informed of ideas.

• Grant Harris is the Senior Pastor of Windsor Park Baptist Church in Mairangi Bay, Auckland, an avid sportsman and chaplain to the NZ Breakers Basketball Team.