Frontier Church vs. Frontier Firm
What the 2025 Microsoft Work Trend Index Means for the Church: Why We Must Build Frontier Churches Now
Every year, Microsoft releases its Work Trend Index, a data-driven look at how work is evolving globally. The 2025 edition just dropped, and church leaders — especially those committed to staying mission-driven in a tech-shaped world — need to pay attention. This isn’t just a business report. It’s a wake-up call to every church still functioning like it’s 2005.
Here’s What the Report Says
Microsoft surveyed thousands of organizations across industries. The data? Striking:
75% of employees already use AI at work.
78% of leaders say they will not hire people without AI skills.
The most successful organizations are called Frontier Firms, they don’t just use AI; they build around it.
In other words: AI is not a “maybe one day” tool. It’s right now. And while many churches are still debating the ethics of ChatGPT, the workforce has moved on to deployment, automation, and AI agents.
If the world is building Frontier Firms, then it’s time for the Church to build Frontier Churches.
So, What Is a Frontier Church?
A Frontier Church is one that recognizes that AI, automation, and digital tools are not threats, they’re theological and practical opportunities. It’s not about being trendy. It’s about being spiritually present in the age we actually live in.
Here’s what defines a Frontier Church:
1. AI Isn’t a Side Tool — It’s a Staff Member: From guest follow-up to sermon research to planning outreach events — AI agents assist with the heavy lifting so pastors and staff can focus on relationships, care, and vision.
2. It Hires Learning Leaders, Not Church Babies: That means staff who adapt, grow, and evolve — not those who are just “faithful” but inflexible. Being churched isn’t the same as being capable in a digital ministry age.
3. It Runs AI Learning Labs: If 78% of leaders won’t hire someone without AI fluency, why aren’t we training our people? Frontier Churches teach parents, youth, and seniors how to live and lead with AI — not be afraid of it.
4. It Disciples for a Digital World: Frontier Churches understand that formation happens Monday through Saturday — on phones, in algorithms, through content. They don’t just digitize Sunday; they disciple for the world we live in.
Steps Every Church Can Take Right Now
You don’t have to have a tech team. You don’t need a million-dollar budget. But if you’re serious about relevance, discipleship, and leadership in 2025, start here:
1. Conduct a Digital Audit: What’s still manual? What’s wasting your team’s time? What could AI handle that would free your people to focus on ministry?
2. Train Your Staff — Especially HR and Comms: If you’re still writing emails from scratch or planning services manually, you’re already behind. Use tools like ChatGPT, Canva AI, or ManyChat for engagement. Better yet, bring in someone who knows how to teach it.
3. Launch a “Faith + AI” Series or Lab: Start a 4-week Bible study or class on AI and faith. Cover ethics, tools, and how AI is showing up in everyday life. Empower your people, don’t just entertain them.
4. Hire for Agility: As you hire or expand, look for people who are learners — not just loyalists. Hire talent that’s church-adjacent, not necessarily church-entrenched. The mission hasn’t changed, but the method must.
Final Word: God Is in the Deep
When Jesus told Peter to “launch into the deep,” He wasn’t talking about shallow faith or surface-level strategy. That “deep” today includes data, digital literacy, and deploying AI for Kingdom work.
Let’s not be the last to act.
Let’s be the first to disciple.
Let’s build Frontier Churches.