As a Methodist minister, I'm always looking for new ideas to illustrate an old message in an effective and memorable way. Dressing up as a tramp one Sunday this month illustrated the Biblical account of the road to Emmaus, when the disciples failed to recognise Jesus. The media covered the drama of the occasion well - but nothing could have prepared me for the reaction I was to receive from my congregation at Trinity Methodist Church in Prestatyn.

The message of unconditional love, forgiveness, acceptance and the universality of the Gospel is preached weekly from the pulpits up and down the country. The practice, it seems, is not so easily grasped! Unshaven and in clothes bought from a charity shop and splashed with lager, I looked different, I certainly smelt different and I behaved in a quiet, intoxicated way - but obviously not in a way that would ensure I was unconditionally accepted into the House of God.

Now, I understood that some of the congregation would be concerned for their personal safety issue when a tramp tried to enter the church, but surely distant concern would have been preferable to a look of condemnation, and a spirit of acceptance - if only conditional - to an attempt to erase all signs of my presence with bleach. Getting into the church proved much more difficult than I anticipated. Those on "welcome" duty looked daggers at me and sent me scurrying away in an efforts to protect their cars from a man who was clearly trying to steal them, even if he couldn't stand upright for long.

Eventually I got as far as the entrance of the church. Behind a glass screen I saw for the first time the care and compassion in the eyes of some of those present – as well as some expressions that led me to question the purpose of this place.

About 20 minutes into the service, I began to bring the drama to a climax. During a hymn, I shuffled forwards to the front of the church. I felt every eye burning into me. When I finally removed my hat and wig, the sigh of relief was audible. It was followed by spontaneous applause. Without having to speak a word, I had managed to communicate a deep message: we all look different on the outside, but on the inside we are essentially the same, needing love, acceptance and fellowship.

After the service some people apologised, while others tried to justify their suspicious reaction. Of course, I am aware that approaching a tramp can feel risky, but folks could have initiated a chain of events that would bring help and care to one in such obvious need. During my career in the police force I met many homeless people. They provided a wealth of information about local crime. Often these folks would share their life story with me. On many occasions they had been successful in their chosen career, got married, had children, a house, a car - but something went wrong, and they found themselves on the street, alone, without the capacity or ability to begin to climb the socially acceptable ladder back to normal life. At times many of us are just a couple of steps from losing everything.