I just recently played a Cleric of Velsharoon... I had Spell Focus Necromancy, Greater Spell Focus, Spell Penetration, Greater Spell Penetration, and some other various feats. I had a level of Heirophant with the Divine Reach ability. I was casting Inflict spells, and Harm, and all the crazy touch spells from 30 ft and with a high DC from the spell focus, and being able to be SR really easily, my spells had no trouble getting through...
I was a Cleric 14/ Heirophant 1, with those feats plus leadership, and maybe something else. Instead of focusing in the raising and control of undead and went with other powerful necromancy spells... it works quite well instead of the normal, run of the mill necromancers!