You said, "I know my limitations. Becoming such a layleader without pastoral oversight seems a bit backwards to me. Since there is no outside help forthcoming, I am clueless as what to do."

I agree with you about pastoral oversight, our church sought the same when 'in crisis', and needing oversight in the resulting absence of a pastor.

Where in western Kansas do you live? My wife and her family grew up North of Wichita, and we have driven through Kansas on I-70 a few times.