This, for most denominations, is in the 'how long is a piece of string?' category. The Uniting Church is an exception.

We in JMM are on the receiving end of 'professional development' contributions for the pastors we counsel etc. but the churches which cover these are often doing it in the 'contingency' category (which means there's nothing in the budget and they have to find some money when a crisis happens).

To avoid the impression that the pastor goes on a 'conference junket' type trip each year (happens a lot in medical, management circles) I'd recommend that a progressive church will budget for 2-4 weeks a year for in-service/training type conferences on top of holidays (yes, yes, yes, I said 'progressive' didn't I?) but tie the amount to a 'training' program for church leaders/people from what is learnt.

Spiritual direction/consulting/development? $1,000 a year. Professional library? $1,000 a year. Plus normal long-service leave payments etc.

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Shalom! Rowland Croucher May 2007