This is a thoughtful, loving explication of the problem before many Protestant denominations, United Methodists included. You’re probably familiar with our early history of class leaders. Maybe it’s time we started using that structure again.

For Matt's followers who don't know the history, when Methodism was introduced into North America, the preachers were assigned to circuits of several congregations which they were intended to visit monthly to preach, preside over communion, baptize, conduct weddings, etc. In the meantime between the pastor's visits, lay people led the congregations. Each member was assigned to a "class" which is nothing like a modern Sunday school class, with whom the class leader met weekly. On Sundays (and Wednesday nights), when the preacher was elsewhere, class leaders conducted worship, although they were not allowed to administer the sacraments. It worked really well until the early 19th century when folks in larger towns and cities wanted "stationed" pastors who stayed put and looked after only them. There are still plenty of Methodist preachers serving multi-charge circuits in WV, so it's still possible.