Victory used to be much better when it was smaller. It's changed as it's become a multi-site…read moremegachurch. The focus has changed to be ALL about supporting the pastor's vision, and growing Victory, as if it's not big enough. They simply want ever more of your time and money. They have a Kingdom Builders program, which is designed to convince you to donate your estate to Victory. Apparently, God, through Victory, needs your money, more than your kids do.
Their 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade ministry room, is like entering a night club, I kid you not. Booming bass, and just chaos all around. It's one thing to meet kids where they're at. It's another to use wordly music/methods to attempt to preach whatever watered down Gospel they try to preach.
Same with adult service. The worship has become a rock concert type of entertainment. No one seems to know the songs in the audience, or if they do, they simply can't sing it, because they really aren't designed for congregational singing. The focus is on the worship band, with camera close ups of the band on the big screen. Smoke machine galore. I can almost expect and tolerate this for teens. But adults should know better.
Last summer 2024, for a few weeks, the main pastor and other pastors decided to phone in their sermons. They recorded them, and then played them on Sunday morning, with a theater type theme, giving out popcorn, etc. While, I'm all for everyone taking vacation, why not simply say so, and have one of your other pastors give the sermon. And stop with all the "cool" gimmicks. That's simply not necessary to preach the Gospel. Jesus didn't use gimmicks. He performed great miracles, as did the Apostles. You will NEVER convince the world that Christianity is cool, and hip.