Excellent direction to take! 
The more trained laity the Bishop has at his disposal, the more inclined he may be to actually make use of them.. 
They could well be appointed – even 'ordained, if needed –, to do all the things that Deacons do, and even many of the roles for which we are accustomed to require a 'priest'.
Laity can do whatever the Bishop needs in order to 'extend his presence'. Using 'clerics' is simply a custom developed over centuries. It may well be time to change the custom, and stop dividing Christians into 'clerics' and 'laity'.

As in the early Churches, the Community already has all the charisms and powers within itself to 'build up the body of Christ.
We only need to acknowledge the gifts and grace and talent that is already there and make use of it.