Bayes was ordained in the Church of England, made a deacon at Petertide 1979 (1 July)[6] and as a priest the Petertide following (29 June 1980), both times by Ronnie Bowlby, Bishop of Newcastle, at Newcastle Cathedral.[7][8] He was an assistant curate at St Paul's Church, Whitley Bay for three years (1979–1982). He then became a university chaplain in west London from 1982 to 1987.[3] Bayes moved to High Wycombe for seven years where he initially as Team Vicar (1987–1990) and then Team Rector (1990–1994) before becoming Team Rector of Totton for nine years (1995–2004). While he was at Totton, Bayes was also the Area Dean of Lyndhurst from 2000. Upon leaving Totton, he joined the Archbishops' Council staff team as National Mission and Evangelism Adviser until his ordination to the episcopacy. He was also an honorary canon at Worcester Cathedral from 2007 until his consecration.[3] Episcopal ministry On 7 July 2010[3] it was announced that Bayes would succeed Christopher Foster as Bishop of Hertford upon Foster's translation to Portsmouth.[5] Bayes was duly consecrated a Church of England bishop on 21 September 2010 at St Paul's Cathedral[9] and installed at St Albans Cathedral on 25 September 2010.[10] On 7 May 2014 it was announced that Bayes was to become the next (8th) Bishop of Liverpool; his canonical election was confirmed on 23 July 2014.[2] Bayes was installed at Liverpool Cathedral on 15 November 2014. Bayes is the Visitor of St Peter's College, Oxford;[11] he was chosen from among the Church's diocesan bishops, and may serve until he ceases to be one.[12]