A study of denominational participation in the National Council of Churches illuminates the processes by which organizations reap unanticipated consequences from their commitment to coalitions. This paper contends that NCC members experienced unanticipated involvement in the civil rights movement, resulting in loss of members and reduction of financial support, especially for those denominations with heavy commitment to the South. When an organization forms a coalition with others who do not share its environmental commitments, those commitments may be neglected, causing resistance from the organization's environment.