Relationship evangelism may be defined as sharing the gospel with those with whom you already have established, pre-existing friendships or relationships. It is sometimes promoted as the best way of sharing the gospel message, but there are problems which make it quite ineffective at its goal. I'm not saying don't do it, just don't count it as a replacement for actual evangelistic work.
There are no biblical examples of relationship evangelism. Christ dining with "sinners" does not count because he did not have a close friendship with these people and was only visiting the house for one day. This was still real evangelism outside of his close circle.
If you are bold enough for door-to-door evangelism, don't let anyone stop you. Go for it. Don't let weak lukewarm Christians stop the fire that God put in you to reach your neighbourhood. Just because the JW sect overall is false does not make every single thing they do and believe false, such as door-to door evangelism.
So why is relationship evangelism done? Out of fear that you might annoy some people if you preach the gospel boldly. At least this is the line that is used as justification. Some people can't easily handle others being annoyed at them. Me personally, I love controversy but not everyone was gifted that way. That's fine; evangelism doesn't have to be the angry street preacher calling hell fire and brimstone onto the crowd. The Apostle Paul never specifically mentioned "hell" once in the Bible (Although he alludes to God's wrath) and yet he converted to repentance the most souls of anyone. The word "evangelism: means "Good News." Anything you do to promote the glory and beauty of God's kingdom to the world is evangelism.
Ordinary people are beginning to HATE the liberal hellscape of satanic values the world has come to. I hear people all the time longing for a return of Christianity, wishing just to see good values in the world again. I am not talking about Christians; it is non-believers that are beginning to say this. They notice the void. People are becoming more receptive to Christianity that you may think. But the final conversion is not our job! It is the Holy Spirit's work. We just plant and water, the rest is up to God. Even if no one listens to your message at all, the work is still worthwhile for we are to "preach the gospel to all creatures."
1 Corinthians 3:6-8 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
Don't stress if people don't seems to be listening. One sows and another reaps. You planted a seed in their mind that they cannot escape from. The burning thought is slowly turning over in that person's mind like a ghost-chili rotisserie, but it is the Holy Ghost and not a pepper! The thought that what if there is a God? What if there is an afterlife and I could go to heaven or hell? What if there is more to life than my boring dead routine? You planted that seed. Next maybe someone else tells them about God again or they see something about God on TV or media and this time they seek for more. This time the person accepts Christ. You only saw the first stage where the seed had to die before it could live.
1 Corinthians 15:36 Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies.
John 12:24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
As these verses show, rejection of the seed is a normal part of the process. The seed still works its magic under the surface by the Holy Spirit's power!
A major benefit of doing digital ministry or adding it as a supplement along side your traditional ministry is that once you post it on a searchable channel, the word keeps preaching automatically and collecting views, even without you having to do any additional work. My writings from years ago still get plenty of views and this requires no continuing work. This is the "multiplication effect" from real evangelism. God's commission to us on earth was to MULTIPLY. Relationship evangelism only "adds." It takes so much time. It is like fishing with a rod versus a massive net. The disciples in the New Testament were fishermen and used nets. They wanted to get maximum output for their efforts.
In both my experience and observations relationship evangelism just doesn't work. People close to you see your human side, your fleshly side, your darker side, your sins and stumbles. They assume you have less of a relationship with God than you do, and void listening to your message.
Mark 6:4 Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house."
Evangelism will be LEAST EFFECTIVE among those close to you. Look at the Bible's example. Jesus and the disciples were not taken seriously in their home country. The Apostle Paul had to venture far out to build churches which would believe him and follow his teachings.
What is relationship evangelism good at? For the most part, it is only good at giving us a believable excuse not to do real evangelistic work!
Let's call "relationship evangelism" what it is: cowardice, and a distraction from our mission.
Not everyone is bold enough to easily to evangelism, but at least don't get in the way of those who are. Compliment and encourage them in the work. Be glad the gospel is preached everywhere and in every way.