The Church is later described as the body of Christ, with Christ as the head, meaning one cannot exist separate from the other. Trying to be a follower of Jesus apart from the Church is essentially spiritual decapitation, as he promised to be with His bride for all time.
Click here for audio reflection - https://soundcloud.com/prayfortwo/pray-for-two-on-this-rock
Click here for full text - http://www.godislove.blog/prayfor2/2020/3/1/on-this-rock