I think this invite is an excellent idea. Having lunch and conversation with the pastor of the congregation in a smaller and more intimate setting can provide a safe environment for questions and dialogue to take place. Often, church members may have questions which they are afraid to ask. This hesitation to ask questions amongst peers could be due to the false and often negative connotation questioning may have in regard to faith and education. Another way to provide a safe environment would be to have a box in which congregation members can place their questions or ideas for discussion ahead of time. This would also allow congregation members to be in charge of their own learning.
Brown Bag Lunch with the Pastor or other leaders in the church could enhance relationships between church leadership and church members. I would not limit it to lunch with just the Pastor. However, I would not gather more than one or two church leaders in a lunch setting to stay committed to a safe and intimate setting. I would also want to establish clear boundaries and roles in having a church leader and/or pastor leading the discussion. In giving congregation members more engagement in what is being discussed, it could become a platform where particular congregation members only come to engage in off topic discussion or possible personal dislikes for what is happening in the church (which could be considered great conversation pieces, but not mindful of the group learning). I would want at least a verbal group covenant to establish mutual respect and “what is said in here, stays here” sort of language.
Another problematic matter would be accountability from your congregation members and Pastor. Depending on the time, date, location or unforeseen circumstances, someone could very well be eating lunch alone. You would never want a congregation member to come to the brown bag lunch and not have a Pastor there. Likewise, a Pastor should never leave or cancel the learning just because only one member shows up. This could create distrust in the event and give the implication of unworthiness.
I think what makes this brown bag invitation unique is the possibility of varied participants. Depending on the time you could very likely have working adults, seniors, stay-at-home mothers, and students on lunch break all engaging in dialogue. I would want to assess the needs of the participants within the first few lunches and if those needs can be met, especially if congregation members become or desire to become regular participants. Daycare, transportation, and even an available brown bag lunch may be needed. However, I do believe Lutherans can almost live on coffee alone!
Finally, another way to “Lutheranize” this piece would be to call it Table Talks. The spirit will certainly be stirred up in your divine discourse between church leadership and congregation members.