Though many modern Christians deny the centrality and importance of the institutional church for the life of individuals Christians, such a mentality is considerably out of step with the historic consensus of God’s people and, more importantly, with God’s Word. The early church father Cyprian declared, “Outside the Church there is no salvation” – and our Reformational fathers like Martin Luther and John Calvin agreed. So why did they teach this and what does it mean for us as God’s people? Why is active participation in a local congregation not just beneficial but necessary?