The simple answer must be that it is not essential to be a member of a church or a gathering of Christian people to have a relationship with the Almighty and worship Him and the Lord Jesus Christ, but it is preferred and strongly recommended in God’s words.

If we live on some remote island as a hermit or in a land where to worship God is prohibited and dangerous, then we do not have the privilege of belonging to a church, as it is not possible.
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The words of God must be the absolute authority for this question. We must bear in mind that when we read the Holy Bible, it is not just men’s words, but... 

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 “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the people of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17

​There are benefits in having fellowship with others who also realise the need for God and His Son to be involved in their lives. This is borne out through scripture and in particular the New Testament.

This verse encourages us to be part of a church for more than one reason when it says: 

 “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the day approaching”
Hebrews 10:25

So, the purpose of belonging to a church is not just for our benefit, but the encouragement of others, especially, as this verse points out, the day of the return of Christ is getting ever nearer. Jesus wants us to be of use to Him and His followers and not just devoting ourselves to a selfish existence. He cares and loves us, but He also cares and loves others that follow Him. He wants us to try as best we can to follow His example as a Giver and not a taker. If we exclude ourselves from others in worship, we are denying them of any God given ability that we may possess, which would be helpful to them. Making ourselves remote in our worship is not showing the Christian love and care that our Lord demonstrated so perfectly throughout His life:
As we read from the gospels, He expects us to show this same love and care for others.

A powerful verse in the gospel of John illustrates the vital need for love when Jesus, prior to His crucifixion commanded His followers to: 

“love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35

We cannot be showing this love to one another if we remain separate from fellow believers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. He has called all of us.
There may be occasions when we find it difficult to relate to other worshippers, but nevertheless, the words of Jesus when instructing Peter of his future responsibility, must remind us too, that if we love Him, then we cannot be separate from fellow followers of Christ. Jesus said twice for Peter to, “feed my sheep“ and once to, “feed His lambs.”

All His sheep and lambs must stay together to be fed. The people that form the church are the sheep and lambs that Jesus wants to be kept together and loved, cared for and fed. 

Together we can all help and learn from one another and through God’s grace draw closer to Jesus and the pattern that He has set us