A deacon is appointed by the bishop to ministry in a local congregation (where about 80 percent serve) or in a church-related, faith-based or secular setting. Since the Order of Deacons was created in 1996, ordained deacons have carried the church outside its traditional walls to minister to the homeless, work with labor unions, in health care and more. Deacons have founded nontraditional ministries, too. Other service possibilities include musical, editorial and writing, educational, age group, artistic, mission-based and other posts.