We pair great churches with great candidates.
Every one of us serves, or has served, in full-time ministry. So whether you're a church seeking the right leader or a leader seeking the right church, we start the same way: with a conversation, not a stack of résumés.
The word "Group" was always the point.
Most churches first come to know us through a ministry search. But The Whitworth Group was never meant to be simply a staffing organization. We chose the word "Group" on purpose, because our vision has always been to serve and strengthen churches in more than one way.
We're ministry-minded and relational. We're not HR, and we're not headhunters. Whether we're serving a church, walking alongside a candidate and their family, or supporting pastors and staff, our conviction is the same: ministry is built on relationships, not transactions. As God opens doors, we keep finding new ways to serve, including a counseling division for pastors, ministry leaders, and their families.
"From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love." · Ephesians 4:16
The same calling, carried forward.
Our work began as Dwight Whitworth & Company, built on Dwight Whitworth's conviction that churches and leaders are best joined through relationship, not transaction. After Dwight's passing, his family and the team he shaped are carrying that mission forward under a new name: The Whitworth Group.
Same people. Same proven process. Same heart. If you knew us as DWC, you're in the right place.
We only partner with churches we believe in.
Every candidate we work with is known, vetted, and personally paired, never posted to a pile. When you sense God stirring you toward a new season, reach out and we'll start with a conversation.
The wrong fit costs everyone a season. We don't want that for you.
Most churches search alone: a job posting, a pile of résumés, a committee guessing at fit. Most candidates search alone too, wondering if anyone actually read what they sent. Either way, it takes months, sometimes years, and there's no one to call when you're not sure what you're looking at.
That's the gap we fill. Not more paperwork. People who've done the job, on both sides of the table.
This isn't a headhunting service. It's ministry people helping ministry people.
Ministry-minded, not a recruiting mindset
Every consultant has served in the role you're hiring for or discerning: lead, worship, student, executive, or media. No one can speak to a church, or truly vet a candidate, like someone who has actually been called to that role.
The Observation Weekend
Your consultant spends a weekend at your church to experience your services, your culture, your leadership, and your community firsthand. From there, we do the work, so your team can stay focused on ministry.
One candidate at a time
Like Samuel searching for God's chosen, we don't run a beauty contest of resumes. We prayerfully present one candidate at a time, because we're after God's best fit, not the best paper.
The whole family, not just a hire
A candidate is a person, not a resume, and so is their family. We walk with everyone through every step, so the spouse, the kids, and the church all feel at peace that this is where God is leading.
Ministry is personal.
So is our process.
One proven process. Every church, every time.
Church of 200 or 7,000. Baptist, Assembly of God, non-denominational, or otherwise. Big city or small town. We follow the exact same process every single time, because the consistency of the process is the reason the results are consistent.
The Observation Weekend
We come to your church to experience your services, learn your culture, get to know your leadership, and understand exactly what you're looking for. Then we take it from there.
We do the work
We handle the search, the networking, and the vetting, and we present one candidate at a time, along with their family, so your leadership can keep leading.
The Pilot Service Weekend
By the time this weekend arrives, everyone is already on the same page. It's a weekend of confirmation and relationship, not a weekend of grilling interviews.
Typical timeline: six to eight weeks from the Observation Weekend to your church's new hire.
"The journey to discovering the right man to pair with our church was very unique. The Whitworth Group stayed focused on finding a gifted candidate who truly loves Jesus and fits our church's personality."
"We found the right match in 7 weeks. It's been a game changer after searching for nearly 2 years. This is one of the biggest hires the church makes, so don't waste any more time. The process can be daunting, but looking back, it worked. So thankful for their help in finding the right fit. It's been a night and day difference for our church. Every Sunday I'm reminded we made the right decision."
Frequently Asked Questions
For Churches
Our fees are structured as a flat rate with flexible installment payments designed to work within your church’s budget. Rather than billing based on fluctuating hourly rates, we offer a set fee for our services, ensuring transparency and financial predictability.
To make it easier for churches to manage their budgets, we provide a structured payment plan that allows you to spread the cost over time, rather than paying in one lump sum. This ensures that your church can secure the right candidate without financial strain.
Our goal is to serve your church with integrity and fairness, offering a clear, structured, and budget-friendly approach to securing your next leader.
For positions other than lead pastor, we typically have a well-paired candidate to present to you within six to eight weeks after the Observation and Consultation Weekend (the weekend your consultant visits your church). Since more is involved in pairing a lead pastor with your church, the timeline is typically 2-3 months.
Your consultant will typically have three potential candidates for your church, and will present to you the one who he/she believes pairs best with your church. If, at any point during the information-gathering, interviewing process, either you or the candidate chooses to not proceed, your consultant will present the next candidate. Typically, the first candidate we present is the candidate the church ultimately hires. But, we are prepared should that not be the case.
Yes; the agreement includes terms in which the church and/or TWG can terminate the agreement once it is signed. Once a proposed candidate is presented, we can continue until a candidate is chosen or TWG terminates the agreement.
We follow the “Samuel Principle” when presenting candidates. When Samuel was asking God which of Jesse’s sons was to be king, he asked Him one son at a time. We will typically have three potential candidates for your church, and will present to you the one who we believe pairs best with your church. We present one candidate at a time to a church. If, during the process, either the candidate or the church determines not to proceed, we present the next candidate.
For Candidates
Email us your resume. One of our consultants will review it and will contact you if it seems you might pair well with one of our churches.
We follow the “Samuel Principle” when presenting candidates. When Samuel was asking God which of Jesse’s sons was to be king, he asked Him one son at a time. We present one candidate at a time to a church. If, during the process, either the candidate or the church determines not to proceed, we present the next candidate.
Candidates never pay anything to be considered or to be hired.
Absolutely. And, we will consider whether you pair well with one of our churches. Just as we follow the Samuel Principle with our churches – presenting one candidate at a time – we expect our candidates to do the same thing – consider one church at a time. So, when you are no longer considering any specific church, we will welcome the opportunity to consider you for one of our churches.
Let's have the first conversation.
A church looking for its next leader starts here, not on a job board. Tell us a little about where you are, and a real person will reach out.
"From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love." · Ephesians 4:16