When Des Moines Fellowship started we looked at the New Testament church, its leadership structure and style, its organization, its member's activities and what happened in its meetings. Our church structure was based on the simple design found there.

Leadership
Des Moines Fellowship is led by a team of Elders who teach on a rotating basis, bringing a variety of input and perspective. The Elders share ministry with a team of Deacons, whose mission is to serve the church body.

Teaching
The Elders at Des Moines Fellowship seek to be totally biblical and to teach with authority and conviction, yet leave room for varying interpretations and understandings where the Bible isn't dogmatic. There is no requirement or expectation that everyone hold the same doctrinal stance on peripheral issues in order to fellowship with us. We strive to maintain an atmosphere of openness and grace while encouraging all to "examine the scriptures daily to see if these things be true" (Acts 17:11)

"Body" Life
Every member of Des Moines Fellowship is an important part of the church family and is able to serve others through his or her unique gifts. We recognize the vital role each person plays in expanding the Kingdom, both in the church and in the community. Our Life Groups are an essential element of our "body" life.

Lord's Supper Meeting
On the second Wednesday of each month, the church family follows the example of New Testament believers by gathering for a time of worship and celebration of the Lord's Supper, followed by a time of open sharing. This intimate time remembers Christ's sacrificial love for each of us as the greatest demonstration of love ever known. (1 Corinthians 14)

Christian Growth
Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit, comes to live personally in each person who believes in Him. He alone is the source of our holiness, righteousness, and sanctification. Legalism, a list of rules and regulations, is not, and cannot be the basis of true godly living. We put our faith in Jesus to live His life through us and we trust the Holy Spirit to guide and empower our lives. Only in this way can a believer reach maturity and become the person he or she was created to be in Christ.

Giving
We consider investing in God's kingdom a privilege and a joy. To cultivate a culture of cheerful giving, we don't pass an offering plate at Des Moines Fellowship but we have an offering box available in the back of the sanctuary. If you are visiting us, consider our services a gift to you.

STATEMENT OF FAITH
We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the Divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life.

We believe in one God, creator of all things, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We believe Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He now is our High Priest and Advocate.

We believe the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and, during this age, to convict men, to regenerate the believing sinner, to indwell, to guide, to instruct, and to empower the believer for godly living and service.

We believe man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is therefore lost and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained.

We believe the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only those who receive Jesus are born of the Holy Spirit, and thus become children of God.

We believe the Lord’s Supper and Water Baptism are ordinances to be observed and obeyed by the Church during this present age. We do not, however, regard them as a means of salvation.

We believe the true Church is composed of all such persons who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the body of Christ of which He is the head.

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church and that every local Church has the right, under Christ, to decide and govern its own affairs.

We believe in the personal and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and that this "Blessed Hope" has a vital bearing on the life and service of the believer.

We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord, and of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment.