[revcobb]

I've gotta agree with u-dog and andrew. As a pastor, I love it when someone comes up and says, "Y'know, I've been sensing a calling to go deeper. How about if I start a new Bible study/spirituality group/worship experience/some other ministry?" I'd jump at it. Especially since the social and political barriers aren't an issue there. At least I assume they aren't. If you're in the congregation I think you are, it's got a history of activism that's an easy foundation to build on.

Companions in Christ is good--it's based on Stephen Ministry, and is a good model for starting a new group. Other good resources that come to mind: Living the Questions and Nooma. Both use video and can get a new group into some serious conversation on a deep and meaningful level. Of course, that doesn't meet your need for a powerful, high energy worship experience, but as Andrew suggested, sometimes it takes a change in the way the congregation does things to change the way the pastor does things.

Of course, the pastor could be starving for something meaty, too. Frankly, there's not a lot of collegial support for female pastors in that part of Texas, and I'm sure she doesn't have many UCC colleagues close by.