QCD: Building a Church Focused on Wholeness, Not Hype

Charlotte, NC — In a city already known for its abundance of churches, one might wonder why anyone would start a new one. For Dr. Kirby Anthony, Lead Pastor of Queen City Discipleship (QCD), and Sam Ettaro, the church’s Worship & Arts Director, the answer is simple but profound: to bring people back to the heart of discipleship — spiritual, emotional, and mental wholeness.

That vision was the focus of the first episode of the Queen City Discipleship Podcast, where Anthony and Ettaro sat down to discuss the church’s beginnings, mission, and distinctive approach to ministry. A New Church with Deep Roots

Dr. Anthony’s journey to founding QCD is one marked by calling, experience, and renewal. Having served as a pastor for over a decade in Charlotte after moving from Virginia Beach, he led a growing congregation before life circumstances — including caring for his aging grandparents and managing PTSD after military service — forced him to pause and seek restoration.

“I literally began to burn out,” Anthony recalled. “I had to take a step back and just kind of heal — to seek God for what was next.”

That season of rest led him back to the calling he never truly left: shepherding people. But this time, the mission was different. Rather than simply building another church, Anthony felt led to cultivate a discipleship community—a space where spiritual growth includes mental and emotional wellness.

Faith and Mental Health: A Holistic Calling

Anthony’s doctoral research focused on the intersection of faith and psychology, exploring how the Western church often emphasizes spiritual practices like prayer and study but neglects emotional care. He sees that as a serious gap in the modern church experience.

“Somewhere along the line, the focus shifted from caring for people to growing the church,” Anthony explained. “But Jesus doesn’t just want our service—He wants us. He wants us to be whole.”

He believes that discipleship means helping believers grow holistically: spiritually strong, emotionally healthy, and mentally grounded. It’s an approach that Queen City Discipleship intends to weave directly into its teaching, worship, and community engagement.

A Church Culture That Values People Over Performance

Ettaro, a longtime musician and worship leader, shared how this focus also shapes the church’s creative and worship philosophy. Having played on some of Charlotte’s biggest worship stages, Ettaro reflected on the tension between excellence and authenticity in modern church culture.

“As a musician, I love good sound, lights, and production,” Ettaro said. “But I’ve seen how easy it is for the ‘big show’ to become the draw instead of genuine worship. We want to make sure the focus is always Jesus—not the stage.”

That conviction shapes how QCD approaches everything from music to ministry planning. “It’s not that lights or sound systems are bad,” Anthony added, “but we have to keep our motives in check. Are we doing this to lift up our brand, or to lift up Christ?”

A Different Kind of Church for a Different Kind of City

Queen City Discipleship launched publicly in January 2025, aiming to reach Charlotte residents looking for something more than Sunday performance—a community where faith and real life intersect. Services emphasize spiritual depth, honest conversation, and practical care, while small groups and mentorship programs are being developed around personal growth and mental wellness.

Ettaro and Anthony agree that Charlotte doesn’t necessarily need another church; but the city certainly can benefit from a new kind of church—one that models authenticity, community, and life balance.

“We want to help people slow down, heal, and reconnect with the God who loves them,” Anthony said. “If we can do that, we’ve done something far more meaningful than filling a building.”

About Queen City Discipleship

Queen City Discipleship is a new Christian community based in Charlotte, North Carolina, committed to cultivating spiritually grounded, emotionally healthy, and mentally strong followers of Christ. The church meets weekly for worship, teaching, and fellowship, and invites newcomers to connect both in person and online through the Queen City Discipleship Podcast.