Incarnational Ministry or Messiah-Complex?

Last week I had a great conversation with one of our staff people about the idea of "Incarnational Ministry." 

Incarnational ministry is a buzz-word used to describe the responsibility of believers to be the "hands and feet" of Christ on the earth.

In my experience, there is a fine line between "incarnational ministry" and a messiah complex. 

It is absolutely true that the church should be the "Body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). We should be Christ's representatives on the earth (2 Corinthians 5:20). 

However, I worry when some of my friends start talking about "being Jesus to the culture" that the unintended consequence is a messiah complex, not incarnational ministry. 

It is Jesus' responsibility to "be Jesus;" it is our responsibility to be good reflections and representatives. There's a fine line there that we don't want to miss.