Charitable Deduction Question

[njshoreaccountant]

I have a client who paid out of pocket expenses for training to become a spiritual director for their church. The money paid for training was to a 501(c)(3) organization. Publication 526 discusses church deacon deductions, but not spiritual directors. A spiritual director is not the same as a deacon, but they do provide a service to the church and the church members and needed training to become a spiritual director. Would their out of pocket expenses be the same as a deacon? Are these out of pocket expense deductible as a charitable donation? Thanks.