Claim: The Methodist Diaconal Order is both a religious order and an order of ministry Methodist Diaconal Order where currently, the order reports to have about 280 deacons, who follow a common Rule of Life.
Evidence: The MDO is both a religious order and an order of ministry (or in other words, an order of clerics regular). Currently the order reports to have about 280 deacons, who follow a common Rule of Life.