Alan Robertson, left, and Mike Kellett at the White's Ferry Road Church of Christ in West Monroe, La. (Photo by Lynn McMillon)

Alan Robertson, one of the ministers for the White’s Ferry Road Church of Christ in West Monroe, La., told the congregation Sunday that he’s leaving his church staff position.

The clean-shaven member of the Robertson clan plans to go to work for his family’s thriving Duck Commander business — the subject of the successful A&E reality series “Duck Dynasty.”

In an e-mail to The Christian Chronicle, Robertson elaborated on his decision:

I will still remain on as an elder here and teach (and even preach) as much as possible.  With the success of the television show, our business has exploded, and with all the filming my dad and brothers are doing, they needed help with the business. I am sure at some point I will appear on the show, as well, although it may be hard for them to find a spot for a “Jacob in a family of Esaus!”

Before I went to the White’s Ferry Road School of Biblical Studies way back in 1988, I worked with Dad to help start DC while I attended University of Louisiana Monroe taking business classes.

Before preaching school, we always thought I would help run the business. It just took 24 years to make that move, I suppose. In a sense, it is going home for me, but we are blessed that we do not have to leave my home or WFR and will still get to serve and help lead this great church.

I have been co-preaching here with Mike Kellett, a 1978 WFR graduate, for the past eight years. Mike will still be preaching, and we will be using our current staff to help fill some of my roles and move forward.

We have some great young talent here to preach and teach and do ministry, and we plan on asking them to step up and keep this great work moving forward.

Phil Robertson, Alan’s father, also serves as an elder for the White’s Ferry Road church.

Read a 2009 Chronicle profile of Phil Robertson.

Read a 2008 Churches That Work feature on the White’s Ferry Road church.