Kibbutzim were a pure missionary organization known for their egalitarian-communal lifestyle. However, like many other organizational forms, the kibbutz model has been subjected to significant pressures to become more market oriented. This challenges the existence of kibbutzim in many ways. Stressing ideological homogeneity as a key predictor of change, this study also examines the effect of crisis as assessed by financial distress, demographic depletion, and type of manufacturing industry, on change intensity. Using a sample of 171 kibbutzim over a 7 year-period, the findings indicate consistent effects of ideology, crisis intensity, demographic depletion, and organizational size on change intensity. Theoretical implications for atypical organizations are discussed.