Ed---I think you are exactly right on this!
In any organized group there are connections, but the pre-1979 ones were far different from those post-1979.
I have been here since 1946 and my father an active SBC pastor in SC / NC /GA. He was not in any special group within the state conventions nor the SBC. He was asked to help NC in setting together and promoting the first Annuity Board participants. He went from there to GA, outside Atlanta. He renewed friendships in the GBC with old Mercer friends and also was active in the Atlanta Baptist Association. NEVER did he use politics for advancement. He (like me) believed God put you where He needed you most.
My father ended up getting fired by a suburban church which told him they wanted to grow, but some of the old hands of the "good old boys club" in that community conspired against him. They did not want to relinquish their power to newcomers my Dad had won to Christ. The worst one was a lawyer / mayor / head of the Finance Committee using the church's building fund money to put pressure on a case he was trying to win against the provider of steel for the sanctuary.
You see, clubs and connections leading to control are part of society. If they are balanced and cordial, it can be good. If they want to rule and exclude, you then have a corner of Hell---and the disciples wanting position over servanthood ressurected alongside our Servant Messiah!
Human nature has not really changed since Creation. It becomes what we allow it to be. If you want to have an exclusive group running things exclusively, then the size will be limited with those who feel they are part of the experience.