Michigan Compiled Laws, Chapter 458. Ecclesiastical Corporations § 458.101

Sec. 1. That whenever a Baptist church shall desire to possess corporate powers and privileges, the members thereof present at any regular church or covenant meeting duly called as hereinafter provided, may by the vote of a majority of the members of such church then present, adopt articles of incorporation in accordance with the provisions of this act, and may thereupon proceed under the provisions of this act to elect the deacons or other persons whom the church may desire to act as its trustees, in number not less than 3 nor more than 9, and it shall then be the duty of the deacons or other persons so elected as trustees for said church, to proceed to execute and acknowledge before any person authorized to take acknowledgment of deeds, a certificate which shall contain:

First, The corporate name of the church;

Second, The township, city or village, and county in which the church is located;

Third, The period for which the church is incorporated, which shall not exceed 30 years;

Fourth, A copy of the records of the vote or resolution of the church authorizing the preparation of the articles of association, as well as a like copy of the vote or resolutions of the church accepting or adopting such articles;

Fifth, A copy of the articles of association so adopted.

Such certificate shall be signed by the aforementioned deacons, or trustees, and when duly acknowledged by the signers thereof, shall be filed with the corporation and securities bureau of the department of commerce, and thereupon the deacons or trustees elected as herein provided, and their successors, together with the members of said church, shall become a corporation known by the name expressed in said certificate.