If not going to church is not a salvation issue then Jesus built His church for nothing (Matt.16:18). If not going to church is not a salvation issue then Jesus shed His blood for nothing (Acts 20:28).
Please read Eph. 1:17-23. If not going to church is not a salvation issue then Jesus is the Head of a useless institution. If not going to church is not a salvation issue then He purchased with His blood and is the head of a body which is the fullness of him that filleth all in all. Please note, Kathi, vss 22,23 tell us that the church is His body. The body is the church and the church is His body.
You have stated that the church is the Bride of Christ and that is true. Its found in Eph.5:21-33. Please look especially at vs. 23, "Christ is the head of the church and he is the savior of the body". He is the head of the what? The church! Vs 23 further says He is also the savior of what? The body! What will He save? The church. If you and I and the whole world want to be saved we must be in that body which He is the head and savior of, its just that simple.
Yes, John 3:16 is a wonderful verse. But note what it says. Note that word "believeth". Its a generic word inclusive of all Jesus and His apostles taught. If we do not accept what Jesus and His apostles taught then no matter how much we say about how we believe in and love Jesus we are lost. Jesus said in Jn.14:15: "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
I make no apology for what the scripture has said.
God bless,w
Please read Col.1:12-19. God only has to say something once to make it true. In Col. 1 He says about the same thing again as He did in Eph.1 above. Please note Col.1:18 especially, "He is the head of the body, the church".