Overview
Fellowship Bible Church, located in Brentwood, Tennessee, had been struggling with facility management inefficiencies for years. Luke Littrell, the church’s Manager of Technology, Events, and Environments, had been with the organization for over two decades and witnessed firsthand how disorganized processes created unnecessary frustrations.
Before implementing eSPACE, the church relied on scattered communication methods such as email chains, hallway conversations, and multiple software tools that lacked integration. The result was wasted time, missed expectations, and a general sense of inefficiency that affected staff, leadership, and the congregation.
After adopting eSPACE, Fellowship Bible Church saw immediate improvements in communication, organization, and operational efficiency. The software helped centralize facility requests, streamline work orders, and automate scheduling, allowing staff to focus on their mission rather than logistical challenges.
The Challenge: Inefficient Communication and Work Order Management
For years, Fellowship Bible Church relied on a combination of Outlook emails, verbal requests, and disparate systems to manage facility needs. The lack of a structured workflow made it difficult for staff to track requests, leading to miscommunication and wasted time.
One of the biggest frustrations was the inefficiency of simply communicating what needed to be done. Staff and volunteers often had unclear expectations regarding facility requests, resulting in frustration on both ends. Leadership members requesting support were sometimes disappointed by incomplete work, while the facility team struggled to interpret vague requests.
In addition to communication challenges, managing HVAC systems, access control, and event logistics required significant manual effort. Without integration between these functions, team members had to spend time manually inputting data into multiple systems, creating unnecessary redundancies.
Littrell described the situation as a “colossal waste of time,” where too much energy was spent talking about tasks instead of completing them. The inefficiencies affected not only the facilities team but also the church’s ability to operate smoothly. Leadership recognized the need for a more structured, centralized system that could streamline facility management and improve accountability.
The Solution: Implementing eSPACE for Facility and Work Order Management
After experimenting with different applications over the years, Fellowship Bible Church ultimately chose eSPACE as its facility management solution. The software provided a single platform for scheduling, work order management, and asset tracking, eliminating the need for multiple disjointed systems.
The implementation process was met with immediate staff buy-in. Leadership gathered staff in classrooms to introduce eSPACE and demonstrate how it would improve operations. The ability to centralize requests and track work in one place quickly gained support, and staff members began trusting the system to meet their needs.
A major benefit of eSPACE was the ability to document every request in a single system. The software eliminated the reliance on verbal agreements and email chains by providing a structured process for submitting and tracking facility requests. Staff and volunteers began to ask one another, “Did you put it in eSPACE?” This question became a standard refrain, ensuring that all work orders were documented and accounted for.
Beyond improving communication, eSPACE also streamlined the church’s broader facility management processes. The software’s integrations allowed HVAC schedules and access control systems to be managed automatically, reducing the need for manual input. This automation immediately freed up time for Littrell and his team, allowing them to focus on more strategic initiatives rather than repetitive administrative tasks.
The Results: Increased Efficiency, Time Savings, and Scalability
The implementation of eSPACE led to measurable improvements in efficiency across Fellowship Bible Church’s operations. One of the most significant benefits was the amount of time saved by automating processes and eliminating redundant work.
Littrell estimated that, from the beginning, he personally saved at least eight hours per week due to eSPACE’s integration with HVAC and access control systems. Instead of manually entering schedules into different systems, the software automatically handled these tasks, allowing him to dedicate more time to leadership responsibilities.
In addition to time savings, eSPACE enabled the church to operate with a leaner facility team. Over the years, Fellowship Bible Church transitioned to a smaller full-time staff while utilizing contract labor for specific needs. Despite having fewer staff members, the church was able to maintain high levels of efficiency because of eSPACE’s ability to streamline facility management.
The software also improved communication and accountability among staff. Instead of relying on memory or informal conversations, every request was logged and tracked. This eliminated confusion and helped staff members trust that their needs would be met. As a result, the entire organization experienced a greater sense of efficiency and confidence in facility operations.
Littrell emphasized that the benefits extended beyond internal staff. When facility teams operate efficiently, the entire church benefits. Congregants and ministry leaders were able to plan and execute events more smoothly, ensuring that the church remained a welcoming and functional space for worship and community engagement.
Why Fellowship Bible Church Recommends eSPACE
For churches considering eSPACE, Littrell offers a simple piece of advice: do not wait.
He believes that eSPACE not only makes facility management more efficient but also empowers staff and leadership to focus on ministry rather than logistical challenges. The software provides a structured, scalable solution that supports both small churches and large multi-campus organizations.
Littrell described eSPACE as the “gold standard” in facility management, noting that its combination of robust features and top-tier customer support sets it apart from other solutions. He highlighted the team behind eSPACE, including developers, customer success professionals, and support staff, as a key reason why the software continues to be the best choice for church facility management.
For churches struggling with inefficiencies in scheduling, work order management, or asset tracking, Fellowship Bible Church’s experience demonstrates that eSPACE can provide an immediate and lasting impact. By centralizing operations, automating processes, and improving communication, the software helps churches steward their facilities effectively while focusing on their core mission.
Conclusion
Facility management is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of church operations. Without a structured system, churches risk inefficiencies, miscommunication, and wasted time. Fellowship Bible Church’s experience with eSPACE highlights the benefits of implementing a facility management solution that streamlines operations, improves accountability, and enhances efficiency.
For churches looking to optimize their facility management processes, eSPACE provides a proven, scalable solution. By investing in the right tools, churches can ensure that their facilities remain functional, well-maintained, and ready to support ministry.
To learn more about how eSPACE can transform your church facility management, schedule a demo today.
